BECE 2009 Mathematics Past Questions and Answers

The BECE 2009 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. Given that A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} and B = {3, 6, 9, 12}, find A ∪ B.

A. {3, 6}
B. {6, 12}
C. {2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 12}
D. {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12}

Answer: D. {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12}
Union (∪) is a set of the list of elements in both sets. If an element is found in both set, it is written only once

2. Write 2340000 in standard form.

A. 2.34 x 10$^{-6}$
B. 2.34 x 10$^{-5}$
C. 2.34 x 10$^{6}$
D. 2.34 x 10$^{7}$

Answer: C. 2.34 x 10$^{6}$
A standard form should be in the form a.bcde x 10$^{n}$

The decimal point must be after the first non-zero digit.

The n is the number of times the decimal point has to be moved to be right after the first non-zero digit.

If it is moved to the left, the n is positive and if to the right, n is negative.

Every whole number has .0 at the end which is not written.

2340000 = 2340000.0

2340000 = 2.⌒3⌒4⌒0⌒0⌒0⌒0.0 = 2.34 x 10$^{6}$

Note: The power is positive 6 because we had to move the decimal point to the left 6 times.

3. How many faces has a cuboid?

A. 12
B. 8
C. 6
D. 4

Answer: C. 6
Diagram

4. Subtract 125.47 from 203.90

A. 78.57
B. 78.43
C. -121.57
D. -122.38

Answer: B. 78.43
| | | 1 | 1 | | | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2 | 0 | 3 | . | 9 | 0 |
| - | 1 | 2 | 5 | . | 4 | 7 |
| | | 7 | 8 | . | 4 | 3 |

Explanations

1. We borrowed 1 from 9 making 10. 10 - 7 = 3
2. 9 became 8 after the borrowing. 8 - 4 = 4
3. We borrowed 1 from 2 and the 0 became 10. We then borrowed 1 to the 3 making 13 (10 + 3). 13 - 5 = 8
4. The borrowed 1 from 2 to the 0 became 9 (10 - 1) after borrowing to 3. 9 - 2 = 7
5. 1 has already been borrowed from 2 to become 1. 1 - 1 = 0 but there is no need to write since it's at the beginning

5. Simplify (5*m* + 3*n*)-(2*m*-n).

A. 5*m* - 4*n*
B. 3*m* + 4*n*
C. 3*m* - 2*n*
D. 7*m* + 4*n*

Answer: B. 3*m* + 4*n*
(5*m* + 3*n*)-(2*m*-n) = (5*m* + 3*n*)-(2*m*-n)

Expand and simplify.

Note: - (-) = - - = +

(5*m* + 3*n*)-(2*m*-n) = 5*m* + 3*n* -2*m* + n

(5*m* + 3*n*)-(2*m*-n) = 5*m* -2*m* + 3*n* + n

(5*m* + 3*n*)-(2*m*-n) = 3*m* + 4*n*

6. Which of the following sets is equal to {1, 2, 3, 4}?

A. {2, 4, 1, 5}
B. {2, 1, 4, 3}
C. {1, 2, 3, 4, ...}
D. {2, 3, 4, 5, ...}