WAEC Mathematics 2016 past questions

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

Ten questions from the 2016 WAEC Mathematics paper, with answers and explanations. We hold 29 questions from this paper, and the Skolra app has all of them.

WAEC Mathematics 2016 questions and answers

1. 1.The volume of a pyramid with height 15cm is 90cm³. If its base is a rectangle with dimension xcm by 6cm, find the value of x
   1. A
      3
      Correct
   2. B
      2
   3. C
      6
   4. D
      4
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   Answer: A

   Volume of a pyramid: V = ⅓ × base area × height

   1. Base area = x × 6 = 6x cm²
   2. 90 = ⅓ × 6x × 15
   3. 90 = ⅓ × 90x = 30x
   4. x = 90 ÷ 30 = 3
2. 2.Which of following is a valid conclusion from the premise. "Nigeria footballers are good footballers"?
   1. A
      James is a Nigeria footballer, therefore he is a good footballer
      Correct
   2. B
      Emeka is a good footballer, therefore he is a Nigeria footballer
   3. C
      All good footballers are Nigeria footballers
   4. D
      Some Nigeria footballers are bad footballers
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   Answer: A

   The premise means: All Nigeria footballers are good footballers.

   1. Option B is invalid — it reverses the implication (affirming the consequent fallacy).
   2. Option D contradicts the premise directly.
   3. Option A is valid — it applies the premise directly: if James is a Nigeria footballer (a member of the stated set), then James is a good footballer (modus ponens).
   4. Option C is invalid — it is the converse of the premise and is not logically guaranteed.
3. 3.What sum of money will amount to D10,400 in 5 years at 6% simple interest?
   1. A
      D8,000
      Correct
   2. B
      D6,400
   3. C
      D7,200
   4. D
      D9,200
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   Answer: A

   Simple interest formula: A = P(1 + RT/100)

   1. A = 10,400, R = 6%, T = 5 years
   2. 10,400 = P(1 + 6 × 5 / 100) = P(1 + 30/100) = 1.3P
   3. P = 10,400 / 1.3 = D8,000
4. 4.If 20(mod 9) is equivalent to y(mod 6), find y.
   1. A
      2
      Correct
   2. B
      8
   3. C
      6
   4. D
      4
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   Answer: A

   Step 1: Calculate 20 mod 9: 20 = 9 × 2 + 2, so 20 ≡ 2 (mod 9).

   Step 2: We need y mod 6 = 2.

   Step 3: The smallest non-negative integer y satisfying y ≡ 2 (mod 6) is y = 2.

5. 5.

   A straight line passes through the point P(1,2) and Q(5,8). Calculate the length PQ.

   1. A
      4√5
   2. B
      √10
   3. C
      2√10
   4. D
      2√13
      Correct
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   Answer: D

   Use the distance formula: |PQ| = √((x₂ − x₁)² + (y₂ − y₁)²)

   1. Substitute P(1, 2) and Q(5, 8):
   2. |PQ| = √((5 − 1)² + (8 − 2)²) = √(4² + 6²)
   3. = √(16 + 36) = √52
   4. Simplify: √52 = √(4 × 13) = 2√13
6. 6.The marks of eight students in a test are: 3, 10, 4, 5, 14, 13, 16 and 7. Find the range
   1. A
      13
      Correct
   2. B
      10
   3. C
      16
   4. D
      14
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   Answer: A

   Step 1: Arrange the marks in order: 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 13, 14, 16.

   Step 2: Range = highest value − lowest value.

   Step 3: Range = 16 − 3 = 13.

7. 7.Find the next three terms of the sequence; 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8...
   1. A
      14, 22, 36
   2. B
      11, 19, 30
   3. C
      13, 22, 35
   4. D
      13, 21, 34
      Correct
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   Answer: D

   Step 1: This is the Fibonacci sequence: each term is the sum of the two terms before it.

   Step 2: 8th term = 5 + 8 = 13.

   Step 3: 9th term = 8 + 13 = 21; 10th term = 13 + 21 = 34.

   The next three terms are 13, 21, 34.

8. 8.Kweku walked 8m up to slope and was 3m above the ground. If he walks 12m further up the slope, how far above the ground will he be?
   1. A
      4½ m
   2. B
      9 m
   3. C
      7½ m
      Correct
   4. D
      6 m
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   Answer: C

   Step 1: Find the ratio of vertical height to slope distance: 3 m height per 8 m along slope.

   Step 2: Height gained per metre of slope = 3/8.

   Step 3: Additional height for 12 m further up the slope = 12 × 3/8 = 36/8 = 4.5 m.

   Step 4: Total height above ground = 3 + 4.5 = 7.5 m (7½ m).

9. 9.If cos $\theta$ = x and sin 60^o = x + 0.50^o < $\theta$ < 90^o, find, correct to the nearest degree, the value of $\theta$
   1. A
      60°
   2. B
      72°
   3. C
      69°
      Correct
   4. D
      65°
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: C

   Step 1: From the given conditions: sin 60° = x + 0.5 and cos θ = x, with 0° < θ < 90°.

   Step 2: sin 60° = √3/2 ≈ 0.8660, so x = 0.8660 − 0.5 = 0.3660.

   Step 3: cos θ = 0.3660 → θ = cos⁻¹(0.3660).

   Step 4: cos 68° ≈ 0.3746 and cos 69° ≈ 0.3584; 0.3660 lies between these, closer to 69°. To the nearest degree, θ = 69°.

10. 10.A bag contains 5 red and 4 blue identical balls. If two balls are selected at random from the bag, one after the other, with replacement, find the probability that the first is red and the second is blue.
    1. A
       20/81
       Correct
    2. B
       5/36
    3. C
       4/9
    4. D
       5/18
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    Answer: A

    Step 1: Total balls = 5 red + 4 blue = 9 balls.

    Step 2: Because selection is WITH replacement, each draw is independent.

    Step 3: P(first red) = 5/9; P(second blue) = 4/9.

    Step 4: P(first red AND second blue) = 5/9 × 4/9 = 20/81.

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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