Mathematics questions and answers

Mathematics Questions and Answers

How good are you with figures and formulas? Find out with these Mathematics past questions and answers. This Test is useful for both job aptitude test candidates and students preparing for JAMB, WAEC, NECO or Post UTME.

56.

The perimeter of an isosceles right-angled triangle is 2 meters. Find the length of its longer side.

A.

2 - \(\sqrt2\)

B.

-4 + 3\(\sqrt2\)

C.

It cannot be determined

D.

-2 + 2\(\sqrt2\) m

Correct answer is D

Perimeter of a triangle = sum of all sides

⇒ \(P = y + x + x = 2\)

⇒ \(y + 2x = 2\)

⇒ \(y= 2 - 2x\)-----(i)

Using Pythagoras theorem

\(y^2 = x^2 + x^2\)

⇒ \(y^2 = 2x^2\)

⇒ \(y = \sqrt2x^2\)

⇒ \(y = x\sqrt2\)-----(ii)

Equate \(y\)

⇒ \(2 - 2x = x\sqrt2\)

Square both sides

⇒ \((2 -2x) ^2 = (x\sqrt2)^2\)

⇒ \(4 - 8x + 4x^2 = 2x^2\)

⇒ \(4 - 8x + 4x^2 - 2x^2 = 0\)

⇒ \(2x^2 - 8x + 4 = 0\)

⇒ \(x = \frac{-(-8)\pm\sqrt(-8)^2 - 4\times2\times4}{2\times2}\)

⇒ \(x = \frac{8\pm\sqrt32}{4}\)

⇒ \(x = \frac{8\pm4\sqrt2}{4}\)

⇒ \(x = 2\pm\sqrt2\)

⇒ \(x = 2 + \sqrt2\) or \(2 - \sqrt2\)

∴ \(x = 2 - \sqrt2\) (for \(x\) has to be less than its perimeter)

∴ \(y = 2 - 2x = 2 - 2(2 - \sqrt2) = -2 + 2 \sqrt2\)

∴ The length of the longer side = -2 + 2\(\sqrt2\)m

57.

A student pilot was required to fly to an airport and then return as part of his flight training. The average speed to the airport was 120 km/h, and the average speed returning was 150 km/h. If the total flight time was 3 hours, calculate the distance between the two airports.

A.

270 km

B.

200 km

C.

360 km

D.

450 km

Correct answer is B

Speed = \(\frac{Distance}{Time}\)

⇒ Time = \(\frac{Distance}{Time}\)

Let D = distance between the two airports

∴ Time taken to get to the airport = \(\frac{D}{120}\) and Time taken to return =\( \frac{D}{150}\)

Since total time of flight= 3hours,

⇒ \(\frac{D}{120} + \frac{D}{150}\) = 3

⇒ \(\frac{15D + 12D}{1800}\) = 3

⇒ \(\frac{27D}{1800}\) = 3

⇒ \(\frac{3D}{200} = \frac{3}{1}\)

⇒ 3D = 200 x 3

∴ D =\(\frac{ 200\times3}{3}\)= 200km

58.

PQRS is a cyclic quadrilateral. Find \(x\) + \(y\)

A.

50

B.

60

C.

15

D.

0

Correct answer is D

∠PQR + ∠PSR = 180o (opp. angles of cyclic quad. are supplementary)

⇒ 5\(x\) - \(y\) + 10 + (-2\(x\) + 3\(y\) + 145) = 180

⇒ 5\(x\) - \(y\) + 10 - 2\(x\) + 3\(y\) + 145 = 180

⇒ 3\(x\) + 2\(y\) + 155 = 180

⇒ 3\(x\) + 2\(y\) = 180 - 155

⇒ 3\(x\) + 2\(y\) = 25 ----- (i)

∠QPS + ∠QRS = 180o (opp. angles of cyclic quad. are supplementary)

⇒ -4\(x\) - 7\(y\) + 150 + (2\(x\) + 8\(y\) + 105) = 180

⇒ -4\(x\) - 7\(y\) + 75 + 2\(x\) + 8\(y\) + 180 = 180

⇒ -2\(x\) + \(y\) + 255 = 180

⇒ -2\(x\) + y = 180 - 255

⇒ -2\(x\) + \(y\) = -75 ------- (ii)

⇒ \(y\) = -75 + 2\(x\) -------- (iii)

Substitute (-75 + 2\(x\)) for \(y\) in equation (i)

⇒ 3\(x\) + 2(-75 + 2\(x\)) = 25

⇒ 3\(x\) - 150 + 4\(x\) = 25

⇒ 7\(x\) = 25 + 150

⇒ 7\(x\) = 175

⇒ \(x = \frac{175}{7} = 25\)

From equation (iii)

⇒ \(y\) = -75 + 2(25) = -75 + 50

⇒ \(y\) = -25

∴ \(x\) + \(y\) = 25 + (-25) = 0

59.

The area of a trapezium is 200 cm\(^2\). Its parallel sides are in the ratio 2 : 3 and the perpendicular distance between them is 16 cm. Find the length of each of the parallel sides

A.

10 cm and 15 cm

B.

8 cm and 12 cm

C.

6 cm and 9 cm

D.

12 cm and 18 cm

Correct answer is A

Area of trapezium = \(\frac{1}{2}(a + b) h\)

⇒ \(\frac{1}{2} (a + b)\times 16 = 200\)

⇒ 8(a + b) = 200

⇒ a + b = \(\frac{200}{8}\) = 25 -----(i)

⇒ a : b = 2 : 3

⇒ \(\frac{a}{b} = \frac{2}{3}\)

⇒ 3a = 2b

⇒ a = \(\frac{2b}{3}\) -------(ii)

Substitute \(\frac{2b}{3}\) for a in equation (i)

⇒ \(\frac{2b}{3}\) + b = 25

 \(\frac{5b}{3}\) = 25

⇒ b = 25 ÷ \(\frac{5}{3} = 25\times\frac{3}{5} = 15cm\)

From equation (ii)

⇒ a = \(\frac{2 \times 15}{3} = 2\times5 = 10cm\)

∴ Lengths of each parallel sides are 10cm and 15cm

60.

Study the given histogram above and answer the question that follows.

What is the total number of students that scored at most 50 marks?

A.

380

B.

340

C.

360

D.

240

Correct answer is C

Total number of students that scored at most 50 marks = 100 + 80 + 60 + 40 + 80 = 360