BECE 2019 Mathematics Past Questions and Answers
The BECE 2019 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 = {2,4,6,8,10} and B = {4,8,12}, find A ∪ B.
- A. {4,8}
- B. {2,8,12}
- C. {4,6,8,12}
- D. {2,4,6,8,10,12}
Answer: D. {2,4,6,8,10,12}
The union of two sets is a set containing all elements that are in both sets. If an element occurs more than once in both sets, its written only once.
Hence A ∪ B = {2,4,6,8,10,12}
The union of two sets is a set containing all elements that are in both sets. If an element occurs more than once in both sets, its written only once.
Hence A ∪ B = {2,4,6,8,10,12}
2. Express 0.000344 in standard form.
- A. 3.44 x 10$^{-6}$
- B. 3.44 x 10$^{-5}$
- C. 3.44 x 10$^{-4}$
- D. 3.44 x 10$^{-3}$
Answer: C. 3.44 x 10$^{-4}$
Standard form, or standard index form, is a system of writing numbers which can be particularly useful for working with very large or very small numbers.
It is based on using powers of 10 to express how big or small a number is.
Standard form is written in the form of a x 10$^{n}$, where a is a number bigger than or equal to 1 and less than 10.
n can be any positive or negative whole number.
For example 1.2 x 10$^{3}$, 3.14 x 10$^{-5}$
The rules when writing a number in standard form is that first you write down a number between 1 and 10, then you write × 10(to the power of a number).
Thus the decimal point must be behind the first non-zero digit
If you move the decimal point to the left, the power (number of times of movement) of 10 will be positive and if to the right, negative
The first non-zero digit in 0.000344 is 3, hence we have to move the decimal point (.) 4 times to the right before placing it behind the 3. Since the movement is to the right, the power (4) of 10 is negative.
⇒ 0.000344 = 3.44 x 10$^{-4}$ in standard form
Standard form, or standard index form, is a system of writing numbers which can be particularly useful for working with very large or very small numbers.
It is based on using powers of 10 to express how big or small a number is.
Standard form is written in the form of a x 10$^{n}$, where a is a number bigger than or equal to 1 and less than 10.
n can be any positive or negative whole number.
For example 1.2 x 10$^{3}$, 3.14 x 10$^{-5}$
The rules when writing a number in standard form is that first you write down a number between 1 and 10, then you write × 10(to the power of a number).
Thus the decimal point must be behind the first non-zero digit
If you move the decimal point to the left, the power (number of times of movement) of 10 will be positive and if to the right, negative
The first non-zero digit in 0.000344 is 3, hence we have to move the decimal point (.) 4 times to the right before placing it behind the 3. Since the movement is to the right, the power (4) of 10 is negative.
⇒ 0.000344 = 3.44 x 10$^{-4}$ in standard form
3. Which of the following numbers is the largest?
- A. -70
- B. -50
- C. -3
- D. -2
Answer: D. -2
The lower the negative value the larger the value and the higher the negative value the smaller the value
You can confirm this also on the number line
The lower the negative value the larger the value and the higher the negative value the smaller the value
You can confirm this also on the number line
4. Correct 0.024561 to three significant figures.
- A. 0.03
- B. 0.025
- C. 0.0245
- D. 0.0246
Answer: D. 0.0246
Starting zeros are not significant and so the number of significant digits starts from 24561. The 3 digits lands on 5 but the digit next to it is more than 5 (6) and so 1 is added to the 5 to make it 6.
NOTE
Zeros between other digits are significant. Only starting zeros are insignificant. For instance 3.052306, all the zeros are significant because they are not starting zeros after a decimal point.
Starting zeros are not significant and so the number of significant digits starts from 24561. The 3 digits lands on 5 but the digit next to it is more than 5 (6) and so 1 is added to the 5 to make it 6.
NOTE
Zeros between other digits are significant. Only starting zeros are insignificant. For instance 3.052306, all the zeros are significant because they are not starting zeros after a decimal point.
5. Simplify: (7$^{5}$x7$^{3}$)÷7$^{6}$
- A. 7$^{9}$
- B. 7$^{4}$
- C. 7$^{3}$
- D. 7$^{2}$
Answer: D. 7$^{2}$
Applying BODMAS, the bracket needs to be solved first
Applying a$^{m}$x*a*$^{n}$ = a$^{m+n}$
⇒ 7$^{5}$x7$^{3}$ = 7$^{5+3}$=7$^{8}$
⇒ (7$^{5}$x7$^{3}$)÷7$^{6}$ = 7$^{8}$÷7$^{6}$
Applying a$^{m}$÷a$^{n}$ = a$^{m-n}$
⇒ 7$^{8}$÷7$^{6}$ = 7$^{8-6}$ = 7$^{2}$
Applying BODMAS, the bracket needs to be solved first
Applying a$^{m}$x*a*$^{n}$ = a$^{m+n}$
⇒ 7$^{5}$x7$^{3}$ = 7$^{5+3}$=7$^{8}$
⇒ (7$^{5}$x7$^{3}$)÷7$^{6}$ = 7$^{8}$÷7$^{6}$
Applying a$^{m}$÷a$^{n}$ = a$^{m-n}$
⇒ 7$^{8}$÷7$^{6}$ = 7$^{8-6}$ = 7$^{2}$
6. How many lines of symmetry has a square?
- A. 0
- B. 1
- C. 2
- D. 4
Answer and explanation: practise this paper on ePrep.
7. Solve the equation
- A. -9
- B. -3
- C. 1
- D. 15
Answer and explanation: practise this paper on ePrep.
8. Factorize: kx+2*xt*-4*k*-8*t*.
- A. (k-2*t*)(x+4)
- B. (k+2*t*)(x+4)
- C. (k+t)(x-4)
- D. (k+2*t*)(x-4)
Answer and explanation: practise this paper on ePrep.
9. There are 12 boys and 18 girls in a class
Find the fraction of boys in the class.
Find the fraction of boys in the class.
- A. ⅖
- B. ⅗
- C. ⅔
- D. ¾
Answer and explanation: practise this paper on ePrep.
10. Express 30% as a fraction in its lowest term.
- A. 7⁄10
- B. 3⁄20
- C. 7⁄20
- D. 3⁄10
Answer and explanation: practise this paper on ePrep.
Answer all 46 questions of the BECE 2019 Mathematics paper
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