BECE 2018 Mathematics Past Questions and Answers
The BECE 2018 Mathematics paper has 39 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. Which of the following is arranged in ascending order?
- A. -25, -64, 4, 17
- B. -64, -25, 4, 17
- C. -64, -25, 17, 4
- D. 17, 4, -25, -64
Answer: B. -64, -25, 4, 17
Ascending order means from the lowest to the highest
The higher the negative, the smaller the number, thus -64 is lesser than -25
Hence the ascending order is -64, -25, 4, 17
Ascending order means from the lowest to the highest
The higher the negative, the smaller the number, thus -64 is lesser than -25
Hence the ascending order is -64, -25, 4, 17
2. If P = {x:x is an even number greater than two and less or equal to twelve}, list the members of P
- A. {2, 4, 2, 8, 10, 12}
- B. {3,4,6,8,10,12}
- C. {2, 4, 6, 8, 10}
- D. {4, 6, 8, 10, 12}
Answer: D. {4, 6, 8, 10, 12}
Even numbers are numbers divisible by 2
Examples of even numbers are 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 etc, thus simply adding 2 to preceeding number to get succeeding number
x:x is read as x is such that x is ....
Since x is greater than two, means 2 is not inclusive
Since x is less than or equal to twelve, 12 is inclusive. Or means can be that or that. So either less than twelve or equal to twelve
Hence the list of x is {4, 6, 8, 10, 12}
Even numbers are numbers divisible by 2
Examples of even numbers are 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 etc, thus simply adding 2 to preceeding number to get succeeding number
x:x is read as x is such that x is ....
Since x is greater than two, means 2 is not inclusive
Since x is less than or equal to twelve, 12 is inclusive. Or means can be that or that. So either less than twelve or equal to twelve
Hence the list of x is {4, 6, 8, 10, 12}
3. Which of the following is an infinite set?
- A. {1, 2, ..., 5, 6, 7}
- B. {4, 6, 8, 10, 12}
- C. {2, 3, 5, 7, 11, ...}
- D. {3, 6, ..., 18, 21, ...33, 36}
Answer: C. {2, 3, 5, 7, 11, ...}
Finite sets are sets having a finite or countable number of elements. It is also known as countable sets as the elements present in them can be counted.
Infinite sets in set theory are defined as sets that are not finite. The number of elements in an infinite set goes to infinity, that is, we cannot determine the exact number of elements.
Infinite sets have ... either at the beginning or the ending of the list to indicate the set is uncountable and goes on forever.
Finite sets are sets having a finite or countable number of elements. It is also known as countable sets as the elements present in them can be counted.
Infinite sets in set theory are defined as sets that are not finite. The number of elements in an infinite set goes to infinity, that is, we cannot determine the exact number of elements.
Infinite sets have ... either at the beginning or the ending of the list to indicate the set is uncountable and goes on forever.
4. Find the H.C.F. of 18, 36 and 60.
- A. 2$^{2}$ x 3$^{2}$ x 5
- B. 2$^{2}$ x 3$^{2}$
- C. 2 x 3 x 5
- D. 2 x 3
Answer: D. 2 x 3
H.C.F. means Highest Common Factor
Finding H.C.F. using Prime Factors
Step I:
Find the prime factorization of each of the given numbers.
Step II:
The product of all common prime factors is the HCF of the given numbers.
Prime number is a number that is divisible only by itself and 1 (e.g. 2, 3, 5, 7, 11,13,17 etc.)
Applying the above to find the H.C.F of 18, 36 and 60
Step I:
18 = 2 x 9 = 2 x 3 x 3 = 2 x 3$^{2}$
NOTE: a x a = a$^{1}$ x a$^{1}$
From the law of indices, a$^{m}$ x a$^{n}$ = a$^{m + n}$
Hence 3 x 3 = 3$^{1}$ x 3$^{1}$ = 3$^{1 + 1}$ = 3$^{2}$
36 = 18 x 2 = 2 x 3 x 3 x 2 = 2 x 2 x 3 x 3 = 2$^{2}$ x 3$^{2}$
60 = 2 x 30 = 2 x 2 x 15 = 2 x 2 x 3 x 5 = 2$^{2}$ x 3 x 5
Step II:
The product of all common prime factors is 2 x 3
H.C.F. means Highest Common Factor
Finding H.C.F. using Prime Factors
Step I:
Find the prime factorization of each of the given numbers.
Step II:
The product of all common prime factors is the HCF of the given numbers.
Prime number is a number that is divisible only by itself and 1 (e.g. 2, 3, 5, 7, 11,13,17 etc.)
Applying the above to find the H.C.F of 18, 36 and 60
Step I:
18 = 2 x 9 = 2 x 3 x 3 = 2 x 3$^{2}$
NOTE: a x a = a$^{1}$ x a$^{1}$
From the law of indices, a$^{m}$ x a$^{n}$ = a$^{m + n}$
Hence 3 x 3 = 3$^{1}$ x 3$^{1}$ = 3$^{1 + 1}$ = 3$^{2}$
36 = 18 x 2 = 2 x 3 x 3 x 2 = 2 x 2 x 3 x 3 = 2$^{2}$ x 3$^{2}$
60 = 2 x 30 = 2 x 2 x 15 = 2 x 2 x 3 x 5 = 2$^{2}$ x 3 x 5
Step II:
The product of all common prime factors is 2 x 3
6. Find the least number that can be added to 207 to make the sum divisible by 17.
- A. 3
- B. 13
- C. 14
- D. 30
Answer: C. 14
The least number plus the 207 must be divisible by 17
You have to find the least number which is greater than 207 and is divisible by 17
Thus simply write down the multiples of 17 and select the first number greater than 207
Then find out what number when added to 207, will give the least multiple of 17 greater than 207
Multiples of 17: 17, 34, 51, 68, 85, 102, 119, 136, 153, 170, 187, 204, 221, 238,...
The least number greater than 207 is 221
Least number to add = 221 - 207 = 14
The least number plus the 207 must be divisible by 17
You have to find the least number which is greater than 207 and is divisible by 17
Thus simply write down the multiples of 17 and select the first number greater than 207
Then find out what number when added to 207, will give the least multiple of 17 greater than 207
Multiples of 17: 17, 34, 51, 68, 85, 102, 119, 136, 153, 170, 187, 204, 221, 238,...
The least number greater than 207 is 221
Least number to add = 221 - 207 = 14
7. If P = {factors of 36} and Q = {multiples of 4 less than 40}, find the number of subsets in P∩Q
- A. 10
- B. 8
- C. 6
- D. 4
Answer and explanation: practise this paper on ePrep.
8. Find the L.C.M of 10, 15 and 25.
- A. 90
- B. 120
- C. 150
- D. 300
Answer and explanation: practise this paper on ePrep.
9. Evaluate
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
Answer and explanation: practise this paper on ePrep.
10. Arrange
,
and
in ascending order.
,
and
in ascending order.
- A.
,
, - B.
,
, - C.
,
, - D.
,
,
Answer and explanation: practise this paper on ePrep.
11. Find the simple interest on GH₵ 600.00 saved for 2 years 8 months at 5% per anum.
- A. GH₵ 64.00
- B. GH₵ 80.00
- C. GH₵ 84.00
- D. GH₵ 92.00
Answer and explanation: practise this paper on ePrep.
Answer all 45 questions of the BECE 2018 Mathematics paper
Timed papers like the real exam, instant marking, worked explanations, topic tests and mock exams. Theory answers marked by real teachers. 3 weeks free.
Practise free on ePrep