BECE 2003 Mathematics Past Questions and Answers
The BECE 2003 Mathematics paper has 40 objective and 5 theory questions. Here are sample objective questions with the correct answers and explanations. Sit the full paper with the real time limit on ePrep.
Sample questions with answers
1. P = {3, 6, 9, 12, 15}. Which of the following best describes the set P?
- A. The set of multiples of 3 less than 18
- B. The set of multiples of 3
- C. The set of odd numbers
- D. The set of odd numbers less than 16
Answer: A. The set of multiples of 3 less than 18
Answer: A. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 are the multiples of 3 that are less than 18 (the set stops at 15, so it is not all multiples of 3).
Answer: A. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 are the multiples of 3 that are less than 18 (the set stops at 15, so it is not all multiples of 3).
2. If Q = {2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10} and R = {3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11}, find Q ∩ R.
- A. {2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11}
- B. {7, 10}
- C. {10}
- D. {7}
Answer: B. {7, 10}
Intersection (∩) are elements that can be found in both sets
Q ∩ R = {7, 10}
Intersection (∩) are elements that can be found in both sets
Q ∩ R = {7, 10}
3. 
Find the set of missing numbers on the number line above.
Find the set of missing numbers on the number line above.
- A. {-21, -6, 11}
- B. {-21, -10, 11}
- C. {-25, -6, 15}
- D. {-25, -10, 15}
Answer: D. {-25, -10, 15}
Answer: D. The marks go up in steps of 5. The unlabelled marks lie between −30 and −20, between −15 and −5, and between 10 and 20: {−25, −10, 15}.
Answer: D. The marks go up in steps of 5. The unlabelled marks lie between −30 and −20, between −15 and −5, and between 10 and 20: {−25, −10, 15}.
4. If 7.2 and 7.9 are two points on a number line, find the number in the middle of these points.
- A. 7.35
- B. 7.45
- C. 7.55
- D. 7.65
Answer: C. 7.55
The average/mean of the two points gives the middle.
Mean/Average = $\frac{Sum of items}{Number of items}$
Mean/Average = $\frac{7.2 + 7.9}{2}$ = $\frac{15.1}{2}$ = 7.55
The average/mean of the two points gives the middle.
Mean/Average = $\frac{Sum of items}{Number of items}$
Mean/Average = $\frac{7.2 + 7.9}{2}$ = $\frac{15.1}{2}$ = 7.55
5. Find the least common multiple (LCM) of 12 and 20.
- A. 24
- B. 48
- C. 60
- D. 80
Answer: C. 60
The easiest way of finding the L.C.M is using the prime factors method.
Prime factors of 12
$\begin{matrix} & 12 \\ 2 & 6 \\ 2 & 3 \\ 3 & 1\end{matrix}$
Prime factors of 12 = 2 x 2 x 3
Prime factors of 12 = 2$^{2}$ x 3
Prime factors of 20
$\begin{matrix} & 20 \\ 2 & 10 \\ 2 & 5 \\ 5 & 1\end{matrix}$
Prime factors of 20 = 2 x 2 x 5
Prime factors of 20 = 2$^{2}$ x 5
The L.C.M is the product/multiplication of each of the prime factors in their highest power.
L.C.M = 2$^{2}$ x 3 x 5 = 4 x 3 x 5 = 60
The easiest way of finding the L.C.M is using the prime factors method.
Prime factors of 12
$\begin{matrix} & 12 \\ 2 & 6 \\ 2 & 3 \\ 3 & 1\end{matrix}$
Prime factors of 12 = 2 x 2 x 3
Prime factors of 12 = 2$^{2}$ x 3
Prime factors of 20
$\begin{matrix} & 20 \\ 2 & 10 \\ 2 & 5 \\ 5 & 1\end{matrix}$
Prime factors of 20 = 2 x 2 x 5
Prime factors of 20 = 2$^{2}$ x 5
The L.C.M is the product/multiplication of each of the prime factors in their highest power.
L.C.M = 2$^{2}$ x 3 x 5 = 4 x 3 x 5 = 60
6. Express 72 as a product of prime factors.
- A. 2×3
- B. 2$^{2}$×3$^{2}$
- C. 2$^{2}$×3$^{3}$
- D. 2$^{3}$×3$^{2}$
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7. If 3*t* – 2 (t + 12) = 11, find the value of t.
- A. –35
- B. –13
- C. 13
- D. 35
Answer and explanation: practise this paper on ePrep.
8. What is the value of the digit 8 in the number 78000?
- A. 8 ten thousands
- B. 8 thousands
- C. 8 hundreds
- D. 8 tens
Answer and explanation: practise this paper on ePrep.
9. Find the product of 17 and 121.
- A. 968
- B. 1,751
- C. 2,057
- D. 8,591
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10. Araba owes ₵550,000.00 at the bank. She goes to pay ₵150,000.00. How much does Araba owe the bank now?
- A. ₵700,000.00
- B. ₵600,000.00
- C. ₵500,000.00
- D. ₵400,000.00
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