WAEC Mathematics Past Questions & Answers - Page 304

1,516.

What must be added to the expression x\(^2\) - 18x to make it a perfect square?

A.

3

B.

9

C.

36

D.

72

E.

81

Correct answer is E

x\(^2\) - 18x to be a perfect square.

\((\frac{b}{2})^2\) is added to ax\(^2\) + bx + c in order to make it a perfect square.

\(x^2 - 18x + (\frac{-18}{2})^2\)

= \(x^2 - 18x + 81\)

1,517.

Write as a single fraction \(\frac{1}{1 - x} + \frac{2}{1 + x}\)

A.

\(\frac{x + 3}{1 - x^2}\)

B.

\(\frac{3 - x}{(1 - x)^2}\)

C.

\(\frac{3 - x}{1 + x^2}\)

D.

\(\frac{3 - x}{(1 + x)^2}\)

E.

\(\frac{3 - x}{1 - x^2}\)

Correct answer is E

\(\frac{1}{1 - x} + \frac{2}{1 + x}\)

= \(\frac{(1 + x) + 2(1 - x)}{(1 - x)(1 + x)}\)

= \(\frac{1 + x + 2 - 2x}{1 - x^2}\)

= \(\frac{3 - x}{1 - x^2}\)

1,518.

Construct a quadratic equation whose roots are \(-\frac{1}{2}\) and 2.

A.

3x2-3x+2=0

B.

3x2+3x-2=0

C.

2x2+3x-2=0

D.

2x2-3x+2=0

E.

2x2-3x-2=0

Correct answer is E

If x = \(-\frac{1}{2}\) and 2; then

\(x + \frac{1}{2} = 0\) and \(x - 2 = 0\)

\(\implies (x + \frac{1}{2})(x - 2) = 0\)

\(x^2 - 2x + \frac{1}{2}x - 1 = 0\)

\(x^2 - \frac{3}{2}x - 1 = 0\)

\(2x^2 - 3x - 2 = 0\)

1,519.

Factorize the expression 2y\(^2\) + xy - 3x\(^2\)

A.

2y (y + x) - 3x2

B.

(2y - x)(2y + x)

C.

(3x - 2y(x - y)

D.

(2y + 3x)(y - x)

E.

(x – y)(2y + 3x)

Correct answer is D

2y\(^2\) + xy - 3x\(^2\)

2y\(^2\) + 3xy - 2xy - 3x\(^2\)

y(2y + 3x) - x(2y + 3x)

= (y - x)(2y + 3x)

1,520.

Evaluate \(\log_{10} 25 + \log_{10} 32 - \log_{10} 8\)

A.

0.2

B.

2

C.

100

D.

409

E.

490

Correct answer is B

\(\log_{10} 25 + \log_{10} 32 - \log_{10} 8\)

= \(\log_{10} (\frac{25 \times 32}{8})\)

= \(\log_{10} 100 \)

= 2