WAEC SSCE - General Mathematics - 2012
Question 1 Report
The graph is that of y = 2x2 - 5x - 3. For what value of x will y be negative? For what value of x will y be negative?
Answer Details
To find when y is negative, we need to find the values of x for which 2x^2 - 5x - 3 is negative. One way to do this is to use the quadratic formula: x = (-b ± sqrt(b^2 - 4ac)) / 2a where a = 2, b = -5, and c = -3. Plugging these values in, we get: x = (-(-5) ± sqrt((-5)^2 - 4(2)(-3))) / 2(2) x = (5 ± sqrt(49)) / 4 x = (5 ± 7) / 4 So the solutions are x = -3/2 and x = 2. We can check that when x < -3/2 or x > 2, y is positive, and when -3/2 < x < 2, y is negative. Therefore, the answer is option (C) -\(\frac{1}{2} < x < 3\).
Question 2 Report
Solve (\(\frac{27}{125}\))-\(\frac{1}{3}\) x (\(\frac{4}{9}\))\(\frac{1}{2}\)
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Question 3 Report
The lengths of the minor and major arcs 54cm and 126cm respectively. Calculate the angle of the major sector
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Question 4 Report
Alfred spent \(\frac{1}{4}\) of his money on food, \(\frac{1}{3}\) on clothing and save the rest. If he saved N72,20.00, how much did he spend on food?
Answer Details
Let A be the total amount of money that Alfred has. From the given information, he spent \(\frac{1}{4}\) of A on food and \(\frac{1}{3}\) of A on clothing, and he saved the rest. Therefore, we have: Amount spent on food = \(\frac{1}{4}\)A Amount spent on clothing = \(\frac{1}{3}\)A Amount saved = A - (\(\frac{1}{4}\)A + \(\frac{1}{3}\)A) Amount saved = A - \(\frac{7}{12}\)A Amount saved = \(\frac{5}{12}\)A We know that Alfred saved N72,20.00, so we can write: \(\frac{5}{12}\)A = N72,20.00 Multiplying both sides by \(\frac{12}{5}\), we get: A = N172,80.00 Therefore, the amount spent on food is: \(\frac{1}{4}\)A = \(\frac{1}{4}\) x N172,80.00 = N43,20.00 Hence, Alfred spent N43,20.00 on food. Answer is correct.
Question 5 Report
Solve for x in the equation; \(\frac{1}{x} + \frac{2}{3x} = \frac{1}{3}\)
Answer Details
To solve the equation \(\frac{1}{x} + \frac{2}{3x} = \frac{1}{3}\), we can use the following steps: Step 1: Find the common denominator. The denominators in this equation are x and 3x. The common denominator is 3x. Step 2: Multiply both sides of the equation by the common denominator. Multiplying both sides by 3x gives: 3 + 2 = x Step 3: Simplify and solve for x. Simplifying the left side gives: 5 = x Therefore, the solution to the equation is x = 5. x = 5, is the correct answer. Options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect because they do not equal 5.
Question 6 Report
The position of three ships P,Q and R at sea are illustrated in the diagram. The arrows indicated the North direction. The bearing of Q from P is 050o and < PQR = 72o. Calculate the bearing of R and Q
Question 7 Report
A bag contains 4 red and 6 black balls of the same size. If the balls are shuffled briskly and two balls are drawn one after the other without replacement, find the probability of picking balls of different colours
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Question 9 Report
If p = {prime factors of 210} and Q = {prime less than 10}, find p \(\cap\) Q
Answer Details
The prime factors of 210 are 2, 3, 5, and 7. The prime numbers less than 10 are 2, 3, 5, and 7. The intersection (p ∩ Q) is the set of elements that are in both p and Q. Therefore, p ∩ Q is {2, 3, 5, 7}. So, the correct option is: - {2,3,5,7}
Question 10 Report
The bar chart shows the frequency distribution of marks scored by students in a class test. What is the median of the distribution?
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Question 11 Report
Solve the inequality: \(\frac{-m}{2} - \frac{5}{4} \geq \frac{5m}{12} - \frac{7}{6}\)
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Question 12 Report
The nth term of a sequence is Tn = 5 + (n - 1)2. Evaluate T4 - T6
Answer Details
To evaluate T4 - T6, we first need to find the values of T4 and T6. T4 = 5 + (4 - 1)2 = 5 + 9 = 14 T6 = 5 + (6 - 1)2 = 5 + 25 = 30 Therefore, T4 - T6 = 14 - 30 = -16 Hence, the answer is -16.
Question 13 Report
The graph is that of y = 2x2 - 5x - 3. For what value of x will y be negative? What is the gradient of y = 2x2 - 5x - 3 at the point x = 4?
Answer Details
Question 14 Report
Convert 3510 to number in base 2
Answer Details
To convert a number from base 10 to base 2 (binary), we need to divide the decimal number by 2 repeatedly until the quotient is zero. Then, we write the remainders in reverse order. Let's convert 3510 to binary using this method: 35 / 2 = 17 remainder 1 17 / 2 = 8 remainder 1 8 / 2 = 4 remainder 0 4 / 2 = 2 remainder 0 2 / 2 = 1 remainder 0 1 / 2 = 0 remainder 1 The remainders, in reverse order, are 100011, which is the binary equivalent of 3510. Therefore, the correct answer is option (C) 100011. Each digit in a binary number represents a power of 2, starting from the rightmost digit, which represents 2^0 = 1. The next digit represents 2^1 = 2, the next represents 2^2 = 4, and so on. To convert a binary number to decimal, we multiply each digit by its corresponding power of 2 and add up the results.
Question 15 Report
Factorise completely: 32x2y - 48x3y3
Answer Details
We can begin by factoring out the greatest common factor of the two terms, which is 16x2y. This gives: 32x2y - 48x3y3 = 16x2y(2 - 3xy2) So the correct option is 16x2y(2 - 3xy2).
Question 16 Report
If x and y are variables and k is a constant, which of the following describes an inverse relationship between x and y?
Answer Details
An inverse relationship between two variables means that as one variable increases, the other variable decreases. Mathematically, an inverse relationship can be represented by an equation where one variable is multiplied or divided by a constant. Out of the given equations, the equation that represents an inverse relationship between x and y is y = \(\frac{k}{x}\). To see why this is the case, let's consider what happens to y as x increases. Suppose x doubles in value. Then, according to the equation y = \(\frac{k}{x}\), y will be halved in value. Similarly, if x triples in value, y will be divided by 3. This means that as x increases, y decreases, which is the characteristic of an inverse relationship. On the other hand, in the equation y = kx, as x increases, y also increases. This is not an inverse relationship but a direct relationship. The same applies to y = k\(\sqrt{x}\) and y = x + k. Therefore, the equation that describes an inverse relationship between x and y is y = \(\frac{k}{x}\).
Question 17 Report
Simplify: \(\frac{54k^2 - 6}{3k + 1}\)
Answer Details
To simplify the expression \(\frac{54k^2 - 6}{3k + 1}\), we can start by factoring out the numerator: \(\frac{54k^2 - 6}{3k + 1} = \frac{6(9k^2 - 1)}{3k + 1}\) We can further simplify the numerator by recognizing that \(9k^2 - 1\) is a difference of squares, and can be factored as \((3k + 1)(3k - 1)\): \(\frac{6(9k^2 - 1)}{3k + 1} = \frac{6(3k + 1)(3k - 1)}{3k + 1}\) We can then cancel out the common factor of \(3k + 1\) in the numerator and denominator, which gives: \(\frac{6(3k - 1)}{1} = 6(3k - 1)\) Therefore, the simplified expression is \(6(3k - 1)\). The correct option is: - 6(3k - 1)
Question 18 Report
If x + y = 2y - x + 1 = 5, find the value of x
Answer Details
We are given two equations, x + y = 5 and 2y - x + 1 = 5, and we need to find the value of x. From the first equation, we can rearrange it to get x = 5 - y. Substituting this value of x into the second equation, we get: 2y - (5 - y) + 1 = 5 Simplifying the equation, we get: 3y - 4 = 5 Adding 4 to both sides, we get: 3y = 9 Dividing both sides by 3, we get: y = 3 Substituting this value of y into x + y = 5, we get: x + 3 = 5 Subtracting 3 from both sides, we get: x = 2 Therefore, the value of x is 2.
Question 19 Report
The sum of 12 and one third of n is 1 more than twice n. Express the statement in the form of an equation
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Question 20 Report
If N2,500.00 amounted to N3,50.00 in 4 years at simple interest, find the rate at which the interest was charged
Answer Details
Simple interest is calculated by multiplying the principal amount, the interest rate, and the time in years. The formula for simple interest is given as: Simple Interest = (Principal x Rate x Time) / 100 In this problem, we know that the principal amount (P) is N2,500.00, the amount (A) after 4 years is N3,500.00. We need to find the rate (R) at which the interest was charged. Using the formula for simple interest, we can write: A = P + I where I is the interest amount. We can rearrange the formula to solve for I: I = A - P = N3,500.00 - N2,500.00 = N1,000.00 Now, we can substitute the values we know into the formula for simple interest and solve for R: I = (P x R x T) / 100 N1,000.00 = (N2,500.00 x R x 4) / 100 Simplifying, we get: R = (N1,000.00 x 100) / (N2,500.00 x 4) = 10% Therefore, the rate at which the interest was charged is 10%.
Question 21 Report
A kite flies on a taut string of length 50m inclined at tan angle 54o to the horizontal ground. The height of the kite above the ground is
Question 22 Report
The diagram is a circle centre O. If < SPR = 2m and < SQR = n, express m in terms of n
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Question 23 Report
If x + 0.4y = 3 and y = \(\frac{1}{2}\)x, find the value of (x + y)
Answer Details
We are given that x + 0.4y = 3 and y = \(\frac{1}{2}\)x. Substitute y in the first equation: x + 0.4 * (\(\frac{1}{2}\)x) = 3 x + 0.2x = 3 1.2x = 3 x = 2.5 Substitute x in the equation for y: y = \(\frac{1}{2}\) * 2.5 = 1.25 Then, x + y = 2.5 + 1.25 = 3.75. Therefore, the value of (x + y) is 3\(\frac{3}{4}\). Hence, the correct option is (c) 3\(\frac{3}{4}\).
Question 24 Report
Find the coefficient of m in the expression of (\(\frac{m}{2} - 1 \frac{1}{2}\)) (m + \(\frac{2}{3}\))
Answer Details
Question 25 Report
The bar chart shows the frequency distribution of marks scored by students in a class test. Calculate the mean of the distribution.
Answer Details
To calculate the mean of a frequency distribution, we need to find the sum of all the values multiplied by their respective frequencies and divide by the total number of values. Looking at the bar chart, we can see that there are 5 values: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The corresponding frequencies are 1, 2, 5, 6, and 1, respectively. To calculate the mean, we first need to calculate the sum of all the values multiplied by their respective frequencies: (1 x 1) + (2 x 2) + (3 x 5) + (4 x 6) + (5 x 1) = 1 + 4 + 15 + 24 + 5 = 49 Next, we need to calculate the total number of values, which is the sum of all the frequencies: 1 + 2 + 5 + 6 + 1 = 15 Finally, we divide the sum of the values multiplied by their frequencies by the total number of values: 49 / 15 = 3.27 (rounded to two decimal places) Therefore, the mean of the distribution is approximately 3.27. The correct answer is not provided in the options, but the closest one is option (C) 2.4.
Question 26 Report
In the diagram, O is a circle centre of the circle PQRS and < PSR = 86o. If < PQR = xo, find x
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Question 27 Report
The sum of the interior angles of regular polygon is 1800o. How many sides has the polygon?
Answer Details
The sum of the interior angles of a polygon can be found by the formula: sum of interior angles = (n-2) x 180 degrees where n is the number of sides in the polygon. In this problem, we are given that the sum of the interior angles of the polygon is 1800 degrees. So we can set up an equation: 1800 = (n-2) x 180 Simplifying the equation: 10 = n - 2 n = 12 Therefore, the polygon has 12 sides.
Question 29 Report
Is the diagram, MN, PQ and RS are three intersecting straight lines. Which of the following statements is/are true? i. t = y ii. x + y + z + m = 180o ii. x + m + n = 180o iv. x + n = m + z
Question 31 Report
Given that the mean of the scores 15, 21, 17, 26, 18 and 29 is 21, calculate the standard deviation of the scores
Answer Details
To calculate the standard deviation of the scores, we first need to find the variance, which is the average of the squared deviations from the mean. 1. Find the mean of the scores: Mean = (15 + 21 + 17 + 26 + 18 + 29)/6 = 126/6 = 21 2. Calculate the deviations from the mean for each score: 15 - 21 = -6 21 - 21 = 0 17 - 21 = -4 26 - 21 = 5 18 - 21 = -3 29 - 21 = 8 3. Square each deviation: (-6)^2 = 36 0^2 = 0 (-4)^2 = 16 5^2 = 25 (-3)^2 = 9 8^2 = 64 4. Find the average of the squared deviations: (36 + 0 + 16 + 25 + 9 + 64)/6 = 150/6 = 25 5. Take the square root of the variance to get the standard deviation: Standard deviation = sqrt(25) = 5 Therefore, the standard deviation of the scores is 5. The answer is 5.
Question 32 Report
The curved surface area of a cylindrical tin is 704cm2. If the radius of its base is 8cm, find the height. [Take \(\pi = \frac{22}{7}\)]`
Question 33 Report
In the diagram, |SR| = |QR|. < SRP = 65o and < RPQ = 48o, find < PRQ
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Question 34 Report
The diagram is a circle of radius |QR| = 4cm. \(\bar{R}\) is a tangent to the circle at R. If TPO = 120o, find |PQ|.
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Question 35 Report
If x and y are variables and k is a constant, which of the following describes an inverse relationship between x and y?
Answer Details
The equation that describes an inverse relationship between x and y is y = k/x, which is the second option. An inverse relationship between two variables means that as one variable increases, the other variable decreases in a proportional manner. In other words, if we double the value of x, the value of y would be halved, and vice versa. In the equation y = k/x, as x increases, y decreases, and as x decreases, y increases. The constant k represents the scale of the relationship between x and y. The other options do not describe an inverse relationship between x and y. is a direct proportion where y increases as x increases. is a power relationship where y increases as the square root of x increases. is a linear relationship where y increases at a constant rate as x increases.
Question 36 Report
In the diagram, MQ//RS, < TUV = 70o and < RLV = 30o. Find the value of x
Answer Details
Question 37 Report
Express 302.10495 correct to five significant figures
Question 38 Report
In the diagram, |QR| = 10m, |SR| = 8m
< QPS = 30o, < QRP = 90o and |PS| = x, Find x
Answer Details
Question 39 Report
Mr. Manu travelled from Accra to Pamfokromb a distance of 720km in 8 hours. What will be his speed in m/s?
Answer Details
To find the speed in meters per second (m/s), we need to convert the distance and time to meters and seconds respectively. Distance is given as 720km. 1km is equal to 1000m, so 720km = 720 x 1000m = 720,000m. Time taken is given as 8 hours. 1 hour is equal to 3600 seconds, so 8 hours = 8 x 3600 seconds = 28,800 seconds. Speed = Distance ÷ Time = 720,000m ÷ 28,800s = 25m/s. Therefore, Mr. Manu's speed is 25m/s. (25m/s) is the correct answer.
Question 40 Report
A side and a diagonal of a rhombus are 10cm and 12cm respectively, Find its area
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Question 41 Report
The diagram is a circle with centre P. PRST are points on the circle. Find the value of < PRS
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Question 42 Report
Express 3 - [\(\frac{x - y}{y}\)] as a single fraction
Answer Details
To express 3 - [\(\frac{x - y}{y}\)] as a single fraction, we first need to simplify the expression inside the square brackets: 3 - [\(\frac{x - y}{y}\)] = 3 - (\(\frac{x}{y}\) - \(\frac{y}{y}\)) = 3 - \(\frac{x}{y}\) + 1 = 4 - \(\frac{x}{y}\) Therefore, 3 - [\(\frac{x - y}{y}\)] can be expressed as a single fraction: = 4 - \(\frac{x}{y}\) = \(\frac{4y - x}{y}\) Hence, the answer is \(\frac{4y - x}{y}\).
Question 43 Report
In \(\bigtriangleup\) XYZ, /XY/ = 8cm, /YZ/ = 10cm and /XZ/ = 6cm. Which of these relation is true?
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Question 44 Report
In the diagram, MN//PO, < PMN = 112o, < PNO = 129oo and < MPN = yo. Find the value of y
Question 45 Report
Simplify; \(\frac{3\sqrt{5} \times 4\sqrt{6}}{2 \sqrt{2} \times 3\sqrt{2}}\)
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Question 46 Report
Make p the subject of the relation: q = \(\frac{3p}{r} + \frac{s}{2}\)
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Question 47 Report
In 1995, the enrollment of two schools X and Y were 1,050 and 1,190 respectively. Find the ration of the enrollments of X and Y
Answer Details
To find the ratio of enrollments of schools X and Y, we need to divide the enrollment of school X by the enrollment of school Y. Ratio of enrollments of X and Y = Enrollment of X / Enrollment of Y Enrollment of X = 1,050 Enrollment of Y = 1,190 Ratio of enrollments of X and Y = 1,050 / 1,190 Simplifying this fraction by dividing both numerator and denominator by 10 gives: Ratio of enrollments of X and Y = 105 / 119 Further simplifying by dividing both numerator and denominator by 7 gives: Ratio of enrollments of X and Y = 15 / 17 Therefore, the ratio of the enrollments of X and Y is 15:17. Answer option (B) is correct.
Question 48 Report
The bar chart shows the frequency distribution of marks scored by students in a class test. How many students are in the class?
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Question 49 Report
The volume of a cuboid is 54cm3. If the length, width and height of the cuboid are in the ratio 2:1:1 respectively, find its total surface area
Answer Details
To solve this problem, we first need to find the dimensions of the cuboid. Let the length, width and height be 2x, x and x respectively. Then we have: Volume of cuboid = length x width x height 54 = 2x * x * x 54 = 2x^3 x^3 = 27 x = 3 Therefore, the length of the cuboid is 2x = 6cm, the width is x = 3cm, and the height is x = 3cm. To find the total surface area, we need to find the area of each face and add them up. The total surface area is given by: Total surface area = 2lw + 2lh + 2wh = 2(6*3) + 2(6*3) + 2(3*3) = 36 + 36 + 18 = 90 cm^2 Therefore, the total surface area of the cuboid is 90cm^2. The correct answer is option B.
Question 50 Report
(a) Copy and complete the table of values for \(y = 1 - 4\cos x\).
| x | 0° | 30° | 60° | 90° | 120° | 150° | 180° | 210° | 240° | 270° | 300° |
| y | -3.0 | 1.0 | 4.5 | -1.0 |
(b) Using a scale of 2cm to 30° on the x- axis and 2cm to 1 unit on the y- axis, draw the graph of \(y = 1 - 4\cos x\) for \(0° \leq x \leq 360°\).
(c) Use the graph to : (i) solve the equation \(1 - 4\cos x = 0\) ; (ii) find the value of y when x = 105° ; (iii) find x when y = 1.5.
Answer Details
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Question 51 Report
(a) 
In the diagram, /PQ/ = 6 cm, /QR/ = 13 cm, /RS/ = 5 cm and < RSQ is a right- angled triangle. Calculate, correct to one decimal place, /PS/.
(b) 
The diagram show a wooden structure in the form of a cone mounted on a hemispherical base. The vertical height of the cone is 24 cm and the base radius 7 cm. Calculate, correct to 3 significant figures, the surface area of the structure. [Take \(\pi = \frac{22}{7}\)].
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Question 52 Report
(a)
In the diagram, ABCD is a rectangular garden (3n - 1)m long and (2n + 1)m wide. A wire mesh 135m long is used to mark its boundary and to divide it into 8 equal plots. Find the value of n.
(b) A cylinder with base radius 14 cm has the same volume as a cube of side 22 cm. Calculate the ratio of the total surface area of the cylinder to that of the cube. [Take \(\pi = \frac{22}{7}\)]
None
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Question 53 Report
(a) Simplify : \(\frac{1\frac{1}{4} + \frac{7}{9}}{1\frac{4}{9} - 2\frac{2}{3} \times \frac{9}{64}}\)
(b) Given that \(\sin x = \frac{2}{3}\), evaluate, leaving your answer in surd form and without using tables or calculator, \(\tan x - \cos x\).
Answer Details
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Question 54 Report
In the diagram, O is the centre of the circleand XY is a chord. If the radius is 5 cm and /XY/ = 6 cm, calculate, correct to 2 decimal places, the :
(a) angle which XY subtends at the centre O ;
(b) area of the shaded portion.
Answer Details
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Question 55 Report
| Class Interval |
Frequency |
| 60 - 64 | 2 |
| 65 - 69 | 3 |
| 70 - 74 | 6 |
| 75 - 79 | 11 |
| 80 - 84 | 8 |
| 85 - 89 | 7 |
| 90 - 94 | 2 |
| 95 - 99 | 1 |
The table shows the distribution of marks scored by students in an examination. Calculate, correct to 2 decimal places, the
(a) mean ; (b) standard deviation of the distribution.
Answer Details
None
Question 56 Report
Sonny is twice as old as Wale. Four years ago, he was four times as old as Wale. When will the sum of their ages be 66?
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Question 57 Report
(a) 
In the diagram, TU is tangent to the circle. < RVU = 100° and < URS = 36°. Calculate the value of angle STU.
(b) In triangle XYZ, |XY| = 5 cm, |YZ| = 8 cm and |XZ| = 6 cm. P is a point on the side XY such that |XP| = 2 cm and the line through P, parallel to YZ meets XZ at Q. Calculate |QZ|.
Question 58 Report
(a) A box contains 40 identical discs which are either red or white. If the probability of picking a red disc is \(\frac{1}{4}\); Calculate the number of (i) white discs ; (ii) red discs that should be added such that the probability of picking a red disc will be \(\frac{1}{3}\).
(b) A salesman bought some plates at N50.00 each. If he sold all of them for N600.00 and made a profit of 20% on the transaction, how many plates did he buy?
Answer Details
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Question 59 Report
Three towns X, Y and Z are such that Y is 20 km from X and 22 km from Z. Town X is 18 km from Z. A health centre is to be built by the government to serve the three towns. The centre is to be located such that patients from X and Y travel equal distance to access the health centre while patients from Z will travel exactly 10 km to reach the Health centre.
(a) Using a scale of 1 cm to 2 km, find the construction, using a pair of compasses and ruler only, the possible positions the Health centre can be located.
(b) In how many possible locations can the Health centre be built?
(c) Measure and record the distances of the location from town X.
(d) Which of these locations would be convenient for all three towns?
None
Answer Details
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Question 60 Report
(a) (i) Using a scale of 2 cm to 1 unit on both axes, on the same graph sheet, draw the graphs of \(y - \frac{3x}{4} = 3\) and \(y + 2x = 6\).
(ii) From your graph, find the coordinates of the point of intersection of the two graphs.
(iii) Show, on the graph sheet, the region satisfied by the inequality \(y - \frac{3}{4}x \geq 3\).
(b) Given that \(x^{2} + bx + 18\) is factorized as \((x + 2)(x + c)\). Find the values of c and b.
Question 61 Report
(a) A boy had M Dalasis (D). He spent D15 and shared the remainder equally with his sister. If the sister's share was equal to \(\frac{1}{3}\) of M, find the value of M.
(b) A number of tourists were interviewed on their choice of means of travel. Two- thirds said that they travelled by road, \(\frac{13}{30}\) by air and \(\frac{4}{15}\) by both air and road. If 20 tourists did not travel by either air or road ; (i) represent the information on a Venn diagram ; (ii) how many tourists (1) were interviewed ; (2) travelled by air only?
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Question 62 Report
A point H is 20 m away from the foot of a tower on the same horizontal ground. From the point H, the angle of elevation of the point P on the tower and the top (T) of the tower are 30° and 50° respectively. Calculate, correct to 3 significant figures :
(a) /PT/; (b) the distance between H and the top of the tower
(c) The position of H if the angle of depression of H from the top of the tower is to be 40°.
Answer Details
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