WAEC Mathematics 2009 past questions

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

Ten questions from the 2009 WAEC Mathematics paper, with answers and explanations. We hold 34 questions from this paper, and the Skolra app has all of them.

WAEC Mathematics 2009 questions and answers

1. 1.What is the median of the following scores: 22 35 41 63 74 82
   1. A
      41
   2. B
      52
      Correct
   3. C
      63
   4. D
      47
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   Answer: B

   Arrange the six scores in ascending order: 22, 35, 41, 63, 74, 82.

   With an even number of values, the median is the average of the 3rd and 4th values.

   Median = (41 + 63) ÷ 2 = 104 ÷ 2 = 52

2. 2.Simplify: (3$\frac{1}{2} + 4\frac{1}{3}) \div (\frac{5}{6} - \frac{2}{3}$)
   1. A
      15⅔
   2. B
      94
   3. C
      47
      Correct
   4. D
      23½
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   Answer: C

   Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions: 3½ = 7/2, 4⅓ = 13/3

   Numerator: 7/2 + 13/3 = 21/6 + 26/6 = 47/6

   Denominator: 5/6 − 2/3 = 5/6 − 4/6 = 1/6

   Result: (47/6) ÷ (1/6) = 47/6 × 6/1 = 47

3. 3.If M and N are two fixed points in a plane. Find the locus L = [P : PM = PN]
   1. A
      A circle passing through both M and N
   2. B
      The perpendicular bisector of MN
      Correct
   3. C
      The straight line joining M to N
   4. D
      A circle with MN as diameter
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   Answer: B

   The locus of all points P such that PM = PN is the set of all points equidistant from M and N.

   By the perpendicular bisector theorem, every such point lies on the line that passes through the midpoint of MN at right angles to MN.

   Therefore L is the perpendicular bisector of MN.

4. 4.If c and k are the roots of 6 - x - x² = 0, find c + k
   1. A
      -1
      Correct
   2. B
      1
   3. C
      6
   4. D
      -6
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   Answer: A

   Step 1: Rewrite the equation in standard form by multiplying by −1: x² + x − 6 = 0.

   Step 2: By Vieta's formulas, for ax² + bx + c = 0, the sum of roots = −b/a.

   Step 3: Here a = 1 and b = 1, so c + k = −1/1 = −1.

5. 5.Simplify; $\frac{1}{2}\sqrt{32} - \sqrt{18} \sqrt{2}$
   1. A
      2√2
   2. B
      4√2
   3. C
      0
      Correct
   4. D
      √2
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   Answer: C

   Step 1: Simplify ½√32: √32 = √(16 × 2) = 4√2, so ½√32 = 2√2.

   Step 2: Simplify √18: √18 = √(9 × 2) = 3√2.

   Step 3: The expression becomes 2√2 − 3√2 + √2.

   Step 4: Collect like terms: (2 − 3 + 1)√2 = 0 × √2 = 0.

6. 6.Express 2.7864 x 10^-3 to 2 significant figures
   1. A
      0.28 × 10⁻²
   2. B
      3.0 × 10⁻³
   3. C
      2.79 × 10⁻³
   4. D
      2.8 × 10⁻³
      Correct
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   Answer: D

   Step 1: The number is 2.7864 × 10⁻³; the first two significant figures are 2 and 7.

   Step 2: The third digit is 8 (≥ 5), so round up the second significant figure: 7 becomes 8.

   Step 3: Result: 2.8 × 10⁻³.

7. 7.If (2x + 3)³ = 125, find the value of x
   1. A
      3
   2. B
      1
      Correct
   3. C
      0
   4. D
      2
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   Answer: B

   Note that 125 = 5³, so (2x + 3)³ = 5³.

   Taking the cube root of both sides: 2x + 3 = 5

   2x = 2

   x = 1

   Check: (2(1) + 3)³ = 5³ = 125 ✓

8. 8.solve $\frac{2x + 1}{6} - \frac{3x - 1}{4}$ = 0
   1. A
      1
      Correct
   2. B
      2
   3. C
      -1
   4. D
      -2
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   Answer: A

   Step 1: Multiply every term by 12 (LCM of 6 and 4): 2(2x + 1) − 3(3x − 1) = 0.

   Step 2: Expand: 4x + 2 − 9x + 3 = 0.

   Step 3: Collect terms: −5x + 5 = 0, so 5x = 5.

   Step 4: x = 1.

9. 9.In an examination, Kofi scored x% in Physics, 50% in Chemistry and 70% in Biology. If his mean score for the three subjects was 55%, find x
   1. A
      45
      Correct
   2. B
      55
   3. C
      40
   4. D
      50
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   Answer: A

   Mean = (sum of scores) ÷ (number of subjects)

   (x + 50 + 70) ÷ 3 = 55

   x + 120 = 55 × 3 = 165

   x = 165 − 120 = 45

10. 10.The diameter of a bicycle wheel is 42cm. If the wheel makes 16 complete revolution, what will be the total distance covered by the wheel? [Take $\pi = \frac{22}{7}$].
    1. A
       672 cm
    2. B
       4,224 cm
    3. C
       1,056 cm
    4. D
       2,112 cm
       Correct
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer: D

    Circumference = πd = (22/7) × 42 = 22 × 6 = 132 cm

    Total distance for 16 revolutions = 16 × 132 = 2,112 cm

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

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