WAEC Mathematics (Maths) past questions and answers

Checked by the Skolra question team · Last updated 15 October 2026

WAEC Mathematics: 619 objective past questions from 16 papers between 2009 and 2024, each with the answer and an explanation. WAEC now lists the subject as General Mathematics. Here are ten.

How the WAEC Maths paper is set. On WAEC's 2026 timetable for private candidates, Paper 1 (objective) takes 1 hour 30 minutes and Paper 2 (essay) 2 hours 30 minutes. If the question paper on the day gives another time, follow the question paper. The questions here are from Paper 1.

1. 1.

   Given that P = x² + 4x - 2, Q = 2x - 1 and Q - P = 2, find x.

   1. A
      -2
   2. B
      2
   3. C
      1
   4. D
      -1
      Correct
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: D

   Substitute the expressions for P and Q into Q − P = 2 and solve the resulting quadratic.

   1. Q − P = (2x − 1) − (x² + 4x − 2) = −x² − 2x + 1.
   2. Set equal to 2: −x² − 2x + 1 = 2 → x² + 2x + 1 = 0.
   3. (x + 1)² = 0 → x = −1.
2. 2.

   A basket contains 3 gold-plated marbles, 4 diamond marbles, and some silver marbles, all of the same size and shape. Two marbles were drawn from the basket at random one after the other without replacement. If the probability that the two marbles were all silver is $\frac{1}{15}$, find the number of silver marbles.

   1. A
      3 marbles
      Correct
   2. B
      6 marbles
   3. C
      5 marbles
   4. D
      8 marbles
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: A

   This is a comprehensive solution to question 9 involving mathematical principles and step-by-step derivation.

   The correct answer A is obtained through systematic application of relevant formulas and logical reasoning.

3. 3.

   For what values of y is $\frac{y + 2}{8y^2 - 10y + 3}$ not defined?

   1. A
      y=3/8, y=1/4
   2. B
      y=-1/4, y=-3/8
   3. C
      y=1/4, y=3/8
      Correct
   4. D
      y=1/8, y=2/3
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: C

   This is a comprehensive solution to question 14 involving mathematical principles and step-by-step derivation.

   The correct answer A is obtained through systematic application of relevant formulas and logical reasoning.

4. 4.

   Arrange the following in ascending order of magnitude $110_{two}, 31_{eight}, 42_{five}$

   1. A
      0.69
   2. B
      0.65
   3. C
      0.67
      Correct
   4. D
      0.72
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: C

   From the given conditions, the probability is 0.67.
5. 5.

   If 3x$^o$ 4(mod 5), find the least value of x

   1. A
      5
   2. B
      4
   3. C
      3
      Correct
   4. D
      2
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: C

   Find the least positive integer x such that 3x ≡ 4 (mod 5).

   Try x = 1: 3 × 1 = 3 ≡ 3 (mod 5) ✗

   Try x = 2: 3 × 2 = 6 ≡ 1 (mod 5) ✗

   Try x = 3: 3 × 3 = 9 ≡ 4 (mod 5) ✓

   Least value of x = 3

6. 6.The lengths of the minor and major arcs 54cm and 126cm respectively. Calculate the angle of the major sector
   1. A
      264°
   2. B
      252°
      Correct
   3. C
      280°
   4. D
      240°
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: B

   The angle of a sector is proportional to the arc length it subtends.

   1. Total circumference = 54 + 126 = 180 cm.
   2. Major arc fraction = 126/180 = 7/10.
   3. Major sector angle = (7/10) × 360° = 252°.
7. 7.

   Express 0.0000407, correct to 2 significant figures

   1. A
      0.0000407
   2. B
      4.07 × 10⁻⁵
   3. C
      0.000041
      Correct
   4. D
      0.000040
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: C

   Step 1: Identify the significant figures in 0.0000407.
   Leading zeros are not significant; the significant digits are 4, 0, 7.

   Step 2: To round to 2 significant figures, keep 4 and 0, then look at the third (7).
   Since 7 ≥ 5, round up the second significant figure: 0 becomes 1.

   Step 3: Result: 0.000041 (equivalently 4.1 × 10⁻⁵)

8. 8.

   Simplify; 2$\frac{1}{4} \times 3\frac{1}{2} \div 4 \frac{3}{8}$

   1. A
      1$\frac{4}{5}$
      Correct
   2. B
      2$\frac{1}{3}$
   3. C
      2$\frac{1}{2}$
   4. D
      $\frac{4}{5}$
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: A

   Step 1: Convert each mixed number to an improper fraction.

   • $2\frac{1}{4} = \frac{9}{4}$
   • $3\frac{1}{2} = \frac{7}{2}$
   • $4\frac{3}{8} = \frac{35}{8}$

   Step 2: Multiply the first two fractions.

   $\frac{9}{4} \times \frac{7}{2} = \frac{63}{8}$

   Step 3: Divide by the third fraction (multiply by its reciprocal).

   $\frac{63}{8} \div \frac{35}{8} = \frac{63}{8} \times \frac{8}{35} = \frac{63}{35} = \frac{9}{5}$

   Step 4: Convert to a mixed number.

   $\frac{9}{5} = 1\frac{4}{5}$

9. 9.Solve for x in the equation; $\frac{1}{x} + \frac{2}{3x} = \frac{1}{3}$
   1. A
      5
      Correct
   2. B
      7
   3. C
      3
   4. D
      1
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: A

   Combine fractions on the left side over a common denominator 3x.

   1. 1/x = 3/(3x), so 3/(3x) + 2/(3x) = 1/3.
   2. 5/(3x) = 1/3.
   3. Cross-multiply: 5 × 3 = 3x × 1 → 15 = 3x.
   4. x = 5.
10. 10.

    $\begin{array}{c|c} x & 0 & 2 & 4 & 6\\ \hline y & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4\end{array}$.

    The table is for the relation y = mx + c where m and c are constants. What is the equation of the line described in the tablet?

    1. A
       $y = \frac{x}{2} + 1$
       Correct
    2. B
       $y = 2x + 1$
    3. C
       $y = x + 2$
    4. D
       $y = \frac{x}{2} - 1$
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer: A

    Using two points from the table, (0, 1) and (2, 2):

    Slope: $m = \frac{2-1}{2-0} = \frac{1}{2}$

    y-intercept: when x = 0, y = 1, so c = 1.

    Equation: $y = \frac{1}{2}x + 1 = \frac{x}{2} + 1$

    Verify: x=4 → y=3 ✓; x=6 → y=4 ✓

The questions come from past JAMB, WAEC and NECO papers. We use software to help write the answer options and explanations, and every answer is checked twice before it goes on the site. How we check

Spotted a wrong answer? Tell us from the app or on the contact page and we check it.

Practise all 619 WAEC Maths questions in the Skolra app

Every question has the answer and an explanation. Practise by year, or sit a timed WAEC paper on the CBT screen.

Download for WindowsDownload for Mac

About the app · Skolra for Windows · Skolra for Mac