BECE 2008 Mathematics Past Questions and Answers
The BECE 2008 Mathematics paper has 40 objective and 6 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. M = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ..., 20}
Q = {3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8} and R = {2, 3, 5, 7}
If Q and R are subsets of M, find Q ∩ R.
Q = {3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8} and R = {2, 3, 5, 7}
If Q and R are subsets of M, find Q ∩ R.
- A. {3, 5}
- B. {5, 7}
- C. {{3, 5, 7}
- D. {2, 3, 5, 7}
Answer: C. {{3, 5, 7}
Intersection (∩) are elements that can be found in both sets
The elements that can be found in both sets Q and R are {3, 5, 7}
Intersection (∩) are elements that can be found in both sets
The elements that can be found in both sets Q and R are {3, 5, 7}
2. List the members of the set {2 ≤ x ≤ 5}.
- A. {2, 5}
- B. {2, 3, 4}
- C. {2, 3, 5}
- D. {2, 3, 4, 5}
Answer: D. {2, 3, 4, 5}
2 ≤ x ≤ 5 is read as 2 is less than or equal to (≤) x and x is less than or equal to (≤) 5.
or equal to means the number is also inclusive.
So x starts from 2 and end at 5 (2, 3, 4, 5)
2 ≤ x ≤ 5 is read as 2 is less than or equal to (≤) x and x is less than or equal to (≤) 5.
or equal to means the number is also inclusive.
So x starts from 2 and end at 5 (2, 3, 4, 5)
3. Round 8921465 to the nearest hundred.
- A. 8921000
- B. 8921400
- C. 8921460
- D. 8921500
Answer: D. 8921500
Step 1
Locate the digit in front of the place you are to round the number to. Thus if hundred thousand, locate the digit in the ten thousand, if ten thousand, locate the digit in thousands, if thousand, locate the digit in the hundred,etc.
We are to round to the nearest hundred.
The digit in front of the hundred place is 6
Step 2
If the digit in front is 5 or more, add 1 to the digit of the place you are rounding to but if not maintain the digit.
The digit of the place we are rounding to is 4 (the hundred place). Since the digit in front of it is 6, we have to add 1 to the digit at the hundred place (4) making 1+4 = 5.
Step 3
Replace the digit in front of the place you are to round the number to by zeros (0s)
6 and 5 which are in front of the hundred place are replaced by 0s
8921465 to the nearest hundred = 8921500
Step 1
Locate the digit in front of the place you are to round the number to. Thus if hundred thousand, locate the digit in the ten thousand, if ten thousand, locate the digit in thousands, if thousand, locate the digit in the hundred,etc.
We are to round to the nearest hundred.
The digit in front of the hundred place is 6
Step 2
If the digit in front is 5 or more, add 1 to the digit of the place you are rounding to but if not maintain the digit.
The digit of the place we are rounding to is 4 (the hundred place). Since the digit in front of it is 6, we have to add 1 to the digit at the hundred place (4) making 1+4 = 5.
Step 3
Replace the digit in front of the place you are to round the number to by zeros (0s)
6 and 5 which are in front of the hundred place are replaced by 0s
8921465 to the nearest hundred = 8921500
4. Write 98 as a product of its prime factors.
- A. 2 x 7
- B. 2$^{2}$ x 7
- C. 2 x 7$^{2}$
- D. 2$^{2}$ x 7$^{2}$
Answer: C. 2 x 7$^{2}$
Prime factors of 98
$\begin{matrix} & 98 \\ 2 & 49 \\ 7 & 7 \\ 7 & 1\end{matrix}$
Prime factors of 98 = 2 x 7 x 7
Prime factors of 98 = 2 x 7$^{2}$
Prime factors of 98
$\begin{matrix} & 98 \\ 2 & 49 \\ 7 & 7 \\ 7 & 1\end{matrix}$
Prime factors of 98 = 2 x 7 x 7
Prime factors of 98 = 2 x 7$^{2}$
5. Evaluate 4(8 - 2) + 5(3 - 8).
- A. -31
- B. -1
- C. 37
- D. 49
Answer: B. -1
Method I
Simplifying the bracket first before expanding.
4(8 - 2) + 5(3 - 8) = 4(8 - 2) + 5(3 - 8)
4(8 - 2) + 5(3 - 8) = 4(6) + 5(-5)
4(8 - 2) + 5(3 - 8) = 4 x 6 + 5 x -5
4(8 - 2) + 5(3 - 8) = 24 - 25
4(8 - 2) + 5(3 - 8) = -1
Method II
Expanding before simplifying.
4(8 - 2) + 5(3 - 8) = 4(8 - 2) + 5(3 - 8)
4(8 - 2) + 5(3 - 8) = 4 x 8 - 2 x 4 + 5 x 3 - 8 x 5
4(8 - 2) + 5(3 - 8) = 32 - 8 + 15 - 40
4(8 - 2) + 5(3 - 8) = 47 - 48
4(8 - 2) + 5(3 - 8) = -1
Method I
Simplifying the bracket first before expanding.
4(8 - 2) + 5(3 - 8) = 4(8 - 2) + 5(3 - 8)
4(8 - 2) + 5(3 - 8) = 4(6) + 5(-5)
4(8 - 2) + 5(3 - 8) = 4 x 6 + 5 x -5
4(8 - 2) + 5(3 - 8) = 24 - 25
4(8 - 2) + 5(3 - 8) = -1
Method II
Expanding before simplifying.
4(8 - 2) + 5(3 - 8) = 4(8 - 2) + 5(3 - 8)
4(8 - 2) + 5(3 - 8) = 4 x 8 - 2 x 4 + 5 x 3 - 8 x 5
4(8 - 2) + 5(3 - 8) = 32 - 8 + 15 - 40
4(8 - 2) + 5(3 - 8) = 47 - 48
4(8 - 2) + 5(3 - 8) = -1
6. Arrange the following in descending order of magnitude:
0.32, $\frac{2}{5}$, 27%, $\frac{1}{3}$.
0.32, $\frac{2}{5}$, 27%, $\frac{1}{3}$.
- A. 0.32, $\frac{2}{5}$, 27%, $\frac{1}{3}$
- B. 0.32, $\frac{1}{3}$, $\frac{2}{5}$, 27%
- C. 27%, 0.32, $\frac{1}{3}$, $\frac{2}{5}$
- D. $\frac{2}{5}$, $\frac{1}{3}$, 0.32, 27%
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7. The ratio 8 : 12 is equivalent to y : 9. What is the value of y.
- A. 4
- B. 5
- C. 6
- D. 7
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8. Write 0.55 as a fraction in its lowest term.
- A. $\frac{11}{200}$
- B. $\frac{11}{20}$
- C. $\frac{11}{2}$
- D. $\frac{11}{5}$
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9. Which of the following can be made from the net below?
- A. Triangular prism
- B. Square pyramid
- C. Triangular pyramid
- D. Cuboid
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10. Simplify 5*w* + 7*p*$^{2}$ - 4*w* + 3*p*$^{2}$
- A. 9*w* + 10*p*$^{2}$
- B. w + 10*p*$^{2}$
- C. w + 4*p*$^{2}$
- D. 9*w* + 4*p*$^{2}$
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