NSMQ PAST QUESTION; MATHEMATICS pdf.

Find the values of the constants a and b if the straight lines

1. ax + 5y = 3, and 4x + by = 1 intersect at the point (2, -1)

ANSWER: a = 4, b = 7
[2a – 5 = 3, 2a = 8, a = 4, 8 – b = 1, b = 7]

2. 3x + ay = 4, and bx – 5y = 6 intersect at the point (2, -2)

ANSWER: a = 1, b = -2
[6 – 2a = 4, 2a = 2, a = 1, 2b + 10 = 6, 2b = -4, b = --2]

3. ax + 2y = -3, and 2x + by = 6 meet at the point (1, 2)

ANSWER: a = -7, b = 2
[a + 4 = -3, a = -7, 2 + 2b = 6, 2b = 4, b = 2]

Solve for x if the determinant of the matrix A has the given value.

 2x x 
1. A =  , detA = 5
3 x

ANSWER: x = 5/2, -1

[2x2 – 3x – 5 = 0, 2x2 – 5x + 2x – 5 = (x + 1)(2x – 5) = 0, x = 5/2, - 1]

 3x 1
2. A =   , detA = 7
 x 2x 

ANSWER: x = 7/6, -1

[6x2 – x – 7 = 0, 6x2 – 7x + 6x – 7 = (x + 1)(6x – 7) = 0, x = 7/6, -1]

 3x 2
3. A =   , detA = 1
 x 5x 

ANSWER: x = 1/3, -1/5

[15x2 - 2x – 1 = (3x – 1)(5x + 1) = 0, x = 1/3, x = -1/5]

1. Factorize completely a4 + 4a3b + 6a2b2 + 4ab3 + b4

ANSWER: (a + b)4

2. In how many ways can 5 persons be seated in a row of 5 seats.

ANSWER: 120
[5! = 5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1 = 20 x 6 = 120]
 3. Find the coordinates of the point of inflexion of the curve y = x3 – 6x2 + 16x.

ANSWER: (2, 16)

[dy/dx = 3x2 – 12x + 16, d2y/dx2 = 6x – 12 = 0, x = 2, y = 8 – 24 + 32 = 16, (2, 16)]

Find the degree measures of the interior angles of a triangle if

1. the exterior angles are in the ratio 3: 4 : 5

ANSWER: 90°, 60°, 30°

[3x + 4x + 5x = 12x = 360, x = 30, exterior angles are 90, 120, 150, interior
angles are 180 – 90 = 90, 180 – 120 = 60, 180 – 150 = 30]

2. the exterior angles are in the ratio 11: 12: 13

ANSWER: 70°, 60°, 50°

[11x + 12x + 13x = 36x = 360, x = 10, exterior angles are 110, 120, 130, interior
angles are 180 – 110 = 70, 180 – 120 = 60, 180 – 130 = 50]

3. the exterior angles are in the ratio 5 : 6 : 7

ANSWER: 80°, 60°, 40°

[5x + 6x + 7x = 18x = 360, x = 20, exterior angles are 100, 120, 140, interior
angles are 180 – 100 = 80, 180 – 120 = 60, 180 – 140 = 40]

Find the values of A, B, C such that

1. 9x2 + 12x + A = (3x + B)2

ANSWER: A = 4, B = 2
[ 9x2 + 12x + A = 9x2 + 6Bx + B2, 12 = 6B, B = 2, A = B2 = 22 = 4]

2. 4x2 + 16x + 25 = A(x + B)2 + C

ANSWER: A = 4, B = 2, C = 9
[4x2 + 16x + 25 = 4(x2 + 4x) + 25 = 4(x + 2)2 + 25 – 16, A = 4, B = 2, C = 9]

3. 5x2 – 30x – 6 = A(x + B)2 + C

ANSWER: A = 5, B = -3, C = -51

[5(x2 – 6x) – 6 = 5(x – 3)2 – 45 – 6 = A(x + B)2 + C, A = 5, B = -3, C = - 51]

1. Find the sum to infinity of the series 5 - 5/3 + 5/9 - 5/27 + . . .

ANSWER: 15/4, or 3.75

[exponential series a = 5, r = -1/3, S∞ = a/(1 – r) = 5/(1 + 1/3) = 15/4]
 2. Find the solution set of the inequality 2x2 – 3x – 5 > 0.

ANSWER: {x: x > 5/2, or x < - 1}

[2x2 – 3x – 5 = (2x – 5)(x + 1) > 0, x > 5/2 or x <- 1]

3. Find the sum in radians of the interior angles of a polygon of 17 sides.

ANSWER: 15π radians

[(n – 2)π = (17 – 2)π = 15π radians]

Solve the equation for x from the logarithmic equation

1. log6x + log6x2 = 3

ANSWER: x = 6
[ log6x + 2log6x = 3log6x = 3, log6x = 1, x = 6]

2. log3x – log3(x – 1) = 2

ANSWER: x = 9/8
[ log3(x/(x – 1)) = 2, x/(x – 1) = 9, x = 9(x – 1), 8x = 9, x = 9/8]

3. log2 x = log2 (x + 3) – 1

ANSWER: x = 3
[log2 (x/(x + 3)) = log2(1/2), x/(x + 3) = ½, 2x = x + 3, x = 3]

Find the equation of the locus of the point P (x, y) moving in the coordinate plane
such that AP = BP given

1. A(-4, 2) and B(2, - 4)

ANSWER: y = x

[(x + 4)2 + (y – 2)2 = (x - 2)2 + (y + 4)2, 8x – 4y = -4x + 8y, y = x ]

2. A(3, -2) and B(2, - 3)

ANSWER: y = -x
[(x – 3)2 + (y + 2)2 = (x – 2)2 + (y + 3)2, -6x + 4y = -4x + 6y, -2x = 2y, y = -x]

3. A(2, 4) and B (-2, -4)

ANSWER: y = - x/2
[(x – 2)2 + (y – 4)2 = (x + 2)2 + (y + 4)2, -4x – 8y = 4x + 8y, 16y = -8x,
y = -x/2]
 1. Find the equation of the tangent to the curve y2 = 4x at the point A(1, -2)

ANSWER: y = -x – 1, or x + y + 1 = 0
[ 2ydy/dx = 4, dy/dx = 2/y, m = 2/-2 = -1, y + 2 = -1(x – 1), y = - x - 1]

2. Solve for x given (1/25)x + 2 = 125x - 2

ANSWER: x = 2/5
[ 5-2(x + 2) = 53(x – 2), -2x – 4 = 3x – 6, 5x = 2, x = 2/5]

3. If (2x + 3)/(x2 – x - 6) = A/(x – 3) + B(x + 2), find the value of (A + B)

ANSWER: 2
[2x + 3 = A(x + 2) + B(x – 3), for x = 3, 9 = 5A, A = 9/5, for x = -2, -1 = -5B, B = 1/5
A + B = 9/5 + 1/5 = 2]

Find the coordinates of the vertices of a triangle whose sides are along the lines

1. x + y = 3, x = 4, y = 5

ANSWER: (4, 5), (4, -1), (-2, 5)

[x + y = 3 and x = 4, y = - 1, (4, -1), x + y = 3 and y = 5, x = -2, (-2, 5),
x = 4 and y = 5 gives (4, 5)]

2. x – y = 5, x = -2, y = 3

ANSWER: (8, 3), (-2, 3), (-2, -7)

[x – y = 5 and x = -2, y = -7, (-2, -7), x – y = 5 and y = 3, x = 8, (8, 3),

x = -2 and y = 3 gives (-2, 3)]

3. 2x + y = 8, x = 3, y = 4

ANSWER: (3, 2), (2, 4), (3, 4)

[2x + y = 8 and x = 3, y = 2, (3, 2), 2x + y = 8 and y = 4, gives x = 2, (2, 4),

x = 3, y = 4 gives (3, 4)]

Given that A and B are acute angles and sinA = 3/5, cosB = 1/√2, evaluate.

1. sin(A – B)

ANSWER: -1/5√2, or - √2/10

[sin(A – B) = sinAcosB – cosA sinB = (3/5)(1/√2) – (4/5)(1/√2) =

-1/5√2 = -√2/10]
 2. cos(A – B)

ANSWER: 7/5√2 or 7√2/10

[cos(A – B) = cosAcosB + sinAsinB = (4/5)( 1/√2) + (3/5)( 1/√2)

= 7/5√2 = 7√2/10]

3. sin(A + B)

ANSWER: 7/5√2 or 7√2/10

[sin(A + B) = sinAcosB + cosAsinB = (3/5)(1/√2) + (4/5)(1/√2) =

7/5√2 = 7√2/10]

1. Given x = cosθ, express x/√(1 – x2) as a trigonometric ratio.

ANSWER: cotθ, or 1/tanθ

[cosθ/√(1 – cos2θ) = cosθ/√sin2θ = cosθ/ sinθ = cotθ]

2. Find the coordinates of the point of inflexion of the curve y = 2x3 – 6x2 + 5x -2.

ANSWER: (1, -1)

[dy/dx = 6x2 – 12x + 5, d2y/dx2 = 12x – 12 = 0, x = 1, y = 2 – 6 + 5 – 2 = -1, (1, -1)]

3. If M(a, - 2) is the midpoint of the line segment joining the points A(6, -4) and

B(a, b) find the coordinates of B.

ANSWER: (6, 0)
[(a, - 2) = ((a + 6)/2, (b – 4)/2), a = (a + 6)/2, a = 6, -2 = (b – 4)/2, b = 0, B(6, 0)]

Find the equation of the image of the given curve

1. (x – 3)2 + (y + 3)2 = 10, after a reflection in the x- axis,

ANSWER: (x – 3)2 + (y – 3)2 = 10 accept (x – 3)2 + (3 – y)2 = 10

[(x, y) → (x, - y), (x – 3)2 + (-y + 3)2 = 10, (x – 3)2 + (y – 3)2 = 10]

2. y2 = 4x, after a reflection in the line y = x,

ANSWER: x2 = 4y or y = x2/4
[(x, y) → (y, x), x2 = 4y, or y = x2/4]

3. x3 – y3 = 10, after a reflection in the y-axis.

ANSWER: x3 + y3 = -10
[(x, y) → (-x, y), (-x)3 – y3 = -x3 – y3 = 10, x3 + y3 = -10]
Find the acceleration vector of a particle of mass m acted upon by the forces

1. (3i - 4j)N, (-5i + j)N, (5i – 3j)N and m = 0.5 kg,

ANSWER: (6i – 12j) m/s2 [(3i - 4j) + (-5i + j) + (5i – 3j) = (3i – 6j) = 0.5a, a =
2(3i – 6j) = (6i – 12j)m/s2]

2. (4i – 2j)N, (2i + 3j)N, (- 3i + 4j)N and m = 0.2 kg

ANSWER: (15i + 25j) m/s2 [(4i – 2j) + (2i + 3j) + (-3i + 4j) =
(3i + 5j) = 0.2a, a = 5(3i + 5j) = 15i + 25j m/s2]

3. (5i – 7j) N, (3i + j) N + (i – 3j) N, and m = 0.3 kg

ANSWER: (30i – 30j) m/s2 [(5i – 7j) + (3i + j) + (i – 3j) = (9i – 9j) = 0.3a,
a = 10(9i – 9j)/3 = (30i – 30j) m/s2]

1. Find the solution set of the equation | x |= -x

(Read as ‘absolute value of x = -x ’)

ANSWER: {x: x ≤ 0}

2. A committee of 3 is to be formed from 3 men and 3 women. In how ways can

this be done if there are 2 women and 1 man on the committee

ANSWER: 9
[3C2 x 3C1 = 3 x 3 = 9]

3. Describe the set of points (x, y) such that 4 < x2 + y2 < 9

ANSWER: Region between 2 concentric circles with center at the origin and having
radii 2 and 3.

u and v are two non-zero vectors and θ is the angle between them. What can you
deduce about θ given that

1. u.v = 0 (scalar product of u and v is zero)

ANSWER: θ is a right angle, or θ = 90°.

2. u.v > 0 (scalar product of u and v is positive)

ANSWER: θ is an acute angle.

3. u.v < 0 (scalar product of u and v is negative)

ANSWER: θ is an obtuse angle.

Solve the logarithmic equation for real x.

1. log2x + log2(x + 2) = log2(x + 6)

ANSWER: x = 2
[ x(x + 2) = x + 6, x2 + x – 6 = (x + 3)(x – 2) = 0, x = 2]

2. log3x + log3(x – 8) = 2

ANSWER: x = 9
[x(x – 8) = 32, x2 – 8x = 9, x2 – 8x – 9 = (x – 9)(x + 1) = 0, x = 9]

3. logx + log(x – 3) = 1

ANSWER: x = 5
[x(x – 3)= 10, x2 – 3x – 10 = (x – 5)(x + 2) = 0, x = 5]

Evaluate the given limit

(3 x 2 + 4 x + 1)
1. Lim
x →−1 ( x + 1)

ANSWER: -2

[(3x2 + 4x + 1)/(x + 1) = (3x + 1)(x + 1)/(x + 1) = 3x + 1, Limit = - 3 + 1

= -2]

(3 x 2 − 2 x − 1)
2. Lim
x →1 ( x − 1)

ANSWER: 4

[(3x2 - 2x – 1)/(x - 1) = (3x + 1)(x – 1)/(x – 1) = (3x + 1), Limit = 3 + 1 = 4]

(2 x 2 − 5 x − 3)
Lim
3.
x →3 ( x − 3)

ANSWER: 7
[(2x2 – 5x – 3)/(x – 3) = (2x + 1)(x – 3)/(x – 3) = 2x + 1, Limit = 2(3) + 1 = 7]

Find the equation of the line passing through the point A(2, -2) and which is

1. perpendicular to the line through the points B(-1, 2) and C(2, 1)

ANSWER: y = 3x - 8
[mbc = -1/3, perpendicular line m = 3, y + 2 = 3(x – 2), y = 3x – 8]

2. parallel to the line through the points B(3, 1) and C(1, 3)

ANSWER: y = -x
[mbc = 2/-2 = -1, parallel line m = -1, (y + 2) = -1(x – 2), y = -x]

3. perpendicular to the line through the points B(2, 3) and C(- 3, -2)

ANSWER: y = -x
[mBC = -5/-5 = 1, perpendicular line m = -1, (y - 2) = -1(x + 2), y = -x]

1. Solve the equation x4 = 81x2

ANSWER: x = 0, ± 9
[ x2(x2 – 81) = 0, x = 0 or x = ± 9]

2. Find the equation of the line making intercepts of -3 on the x-axis and 2 on the
y-axis.

ANSWER: x/-3 + y/2 = 1, or -2x + 3y = 6, or y = (2/3)x + 2

[x/-3 + y/2 = 1, -2x + 3y = 6, or y = (2/3)x + 2]

3. Find the set of values of x for which the function y = x3 – 2x2 + x – 2 is

increasing.

ANSWER: {x: x > 1 or x < 1/3}

[dy/dx = 3x2 – 4x + 1 = (3x – 1)(x – 1) > 0, x > 1 or x < 1/3]

A linear transformation is given by T: (x, y) → (2x + y, 5x + 3y). Find the

coordinates of the point A(x, y) if its image under the transformation is

1. (1, 1)

ANSWER: (2, -3) (Accept x = 2, y = -3)

[ 2x + y = 1, 5x + 3y = 1, 3(2x + y) – (5x + 3y) = 3 – 1 = 2, x = 2, y = -3]

2. (3, 2)

ANSWER: (7, -11) (Accept x = 7, y = -11)

[2x + y = 3, 5x + 3y = 2, 3(2x + y) – (5x + 3y) = x = 9 – 2 = 7, y = -11]

3. (-2, 3)

ANSWER: (-9, 16) (Accept x = -9, y = 16)

[2x + y = -2, 5x + 3y = 3, 3(2x + y) – (5x + 3y) = 3(-2) – 3, x = -9, y = 16]

Find the equation of the tangent to the curve

1. y2 = 4(x + 2) at the point A(2, 4)

ANSWER: y = ½x + 3
[2y(dy/dx) = 4, dy/dx = 2/y, m = ½, y – 4 = ½ (x – 2), y = ½x + 3]

2. y2 = 8(x – 4) at A(6, 4)

ANSWER: y = x - 2
[2y(dy/dx) = 8, dy/dx = 4/y, m = 1, y – 4 = x – 6, y = x – 2]

3. y2 = - 4(x – 2) at (-2, -4)

ANSWER: y = ½x - 3
[2y(dy/dx) =– 4, dy/dx = -2/y, m = ½, y + 4 = ½ (x + 2), y = ½x – 3]

1. Find the equation of the locus of the point P(x, y) given that the vectors

a = (x + 2)i – 4j and b = 4i + (y – 2)j are perpendicular.

ANSWER: x – y + 4 = 0, or y = x + 4
[ a.b = (x + 2)4 – 4(y – 2) = 0, 4x + 8 - 4y + 8 = 0, x – y + 4 = 0, or y = x + 4]

2. Simplify ((y/x) – (x/y))/((1/y) – (1/x))

ANSWER: -(y + x)
[(y2 – x2)/(x – y) = (y – x)(y + x)/(x – y) = -(y + x)]

3. Rationalize the denominator of √10/(√5 – 2) and simplify.

ANSWER: 5√2 + 2√10

[ √10(√5 + 2)/(5 – 4 ) = 5√2 + 2√10]

Solve the equation for x

1. log(x2 – 15x) = 2

ANSWER: x = 20, -5
[x2 – 15x = 100, x2 – 15x – 100 = (x – 20)(x + 5) = 0, x = 20, -5]

2. log3(x2 + 6x) = 3

ANSWER: x = 3, -9
[x2 + 6x = 27, x2 + 6x – 27 = (x + 9)(x – 3) = 0, x = 3, -9]

3. log5(x2 + 24x) = 2,

ANSWER: x = -25, 1
[x2 + 24x = 25, x2 + 24x – 25 = (x + 25)(x - 1) = 0, x = 1, -25]
n is a positive integer. Solve for n from the equation

1. nC2 = 36 (read as ‘n combination 2’ = 36)

ANSWER: n = 9
[n(n - 1)/2 = 36, n2 – n – 72 = (n – 9)(n + 8) = 0, n = 9]

2. (n + 1)C2= 78

ANSWER: n = 12
[(n + 1)n/2 = (78), n2 + n – 156 = (n + 13)(n – 12) = 0, n = 12]

3. (n – 1)C2 = 45

ANSWER: n = 11
[(n – 1)(n – 2)/2 = 45, n2 – 3n + 2 = 90, n2 – 3n – 88 = (n – 11)(n + 8) = 0,
n = 11]

1. A stone is projected vertically up with velocity 30 m/s. Find the maximum

height reached from the point of projection. (Take g = 10 m/s2)

ANSWER: 45 m
[v = u – gt = 30 – 10t = 0, t = 3, s = ut – ½ gt2 = 30(3) – ½ (10)32 = 90 – 45 = 45 m]

2. Express the vector a = -4i – 4j as a bearing

ANSWER: (4√2, 225°)

[ |a| = √(16 + 16) = 4√2, tanθ = -1 in 3rd quadrant, θ = 225°, (4√2, 225°)]

3. Find the coordinates of the center of the circle 3x2 + 3y2 + 7x + 5y = 15

ANSWER: (-7/6, - 5/6)

[x2 + y2 + (7/3)x + (5/3)y = 5, hence center is (-7/6, -5/6)]

Find the coordinates of the vertex of the given quadratic curve.

1. y = x2 – 6x + 7

ANSWER: (3, -2)

[x2 – 6x + 9 + (7 – 9) = (x – 3)2 – 2, vertex = (3, -2)]

2. y = x2 + 8x – 3

ANSWER: (-4, -19)

[x2 + 8x + 16 + (- 3 – 16) = (x + 4)2 -19, vertex = (-4, -19)]
 3. y = 2x2 + 4x – 5

ANSWER: (-1, -7)

[2(x2 + 2x + 1) – 5 – 2 = 2(x + 1)2 – 7, vertex = (-1, -7)]

Find the value of n given that

1. …123n = 3810

ANSWER: n = 5
[n2 + 2n + 3 = 38, n2 + 2n – 35 = (n + 7)(n – 5) = 0, n = 5]

2. 132n = 7210

ANSWER: n = 7
[n2 + 3n + 2 = 72, n2 + 3n – 70 = (n + 10)(n – 7) = 0, n = 7]

3. 142n = 9810

ANSWER: n = 8
[n2 + 4n + 2 = 98, n2 + 4n – 96 = (n + 12)(n – 8) = 0, n = 8]

1. Find dy/dx given 2x2 – xy + 2y2 = 10

ANSWER: dy/dx = (4x – y)/( x – 4y) or (y – 4x)/( 4y - x)

[4x – y – x(dy/dx) + 4y(dy/dx) = 0, 4x – y = (x – 4y)(dy/dx), dy/dx = (4x – y)/(x - 4y)]

2. Triangle ABC has sides a = 5, b = 7, c = 8. Find the value of cosA

ANSWER: 11/14
[cosA = (b2 + c2 – a2)/2bc = (49 + 64 – 25)/2(7)8 = 88/8(14) = 11/14]

3. Find the maximum value of the expression 12cosx – 8sinx

ANSWER: 4√13
[√(144 + 64) = √208 = √(16 x 13) = 4√13

Find the domain of the given function

1. f(x) = √(x + 3)/√(3 – x)
ANSWER: {x: -3 ≤ x < 3}
[(x + 3) ≥ 0, x ≥ -3 and (3 – x) > 0, 3 > x, x < 3, hence {x: – 3 ≤ x < 3}]
2. g(x) =√(x + 2) /∛(x – 2)
ANSWER: {x: x ≥ -2, x ≠ 2} [∛(x – 2) is defined for all real x, but as a
denominator, x ≠ 2, √(x + 2) is defined for x ≥ - 2, hence {x: x ≥ -2, x ≠ 2}]
 3. h(x) = √(x – 1).√(5 - x)
ANSWER: {x: 1 ≤ x ≤ 5} [domain of √(x – 1) is x ≥ 1, and domain of √(5 – x) is x
≤ 5, hence {x: 1 ≤ x ≤ 5}]

Find the inverse of the exponential function

1. y = 5(x + 1)
ANSWER: y = log5x – 1, or y = log5(x/5)
[ x = 5(y + 1), y + 1 = log5x, y = log5x – 1, or y = log5(x/5)]
2. y = 3-x
ANSWER: y = - log3x, or y = log3(1/x)
[x = 3-y, - y = log3x, y = - log3x or y = log3(1/x)]
3. y = 42x
ANSWER: y = ½log4x, or y = log4√x
[x = 42y, 2y = log4x, y = ½log4x = log4√x]

1. Find the coordinates of the turning points of the curve y = 2x3 – 3x2 + 5

ANSWER: (0, 5), (1, 4)

[dy/dx = 6x2 – 6x = 6x(x – 1) = 0, x = 0, 1, for x = 0, y = 5, (0, 5),
for x = 1, y = 2 – 3 + 5 = 4, (1, 4)]

2. Solve the equation sin2x – cos2x = 1 for 0 < x < π

ANSWER: x = π/2
[-cos2x = 1, cos2x = -1, 2x = π, x = π/2]

3. Evaluate (log236)(log2125)/(log225)(log2216)

ANSWER: 1
[(2log26)(3log25)/(2log25)(3log26) = 2(3)/ 2(3) = 6/6 = 1]

Given that sinx = ½ and x is obtuse, evaluate and simplify

1. 1/(1 + cosx)

ANSWER: 4 + 2√3

[sinx = ½, x = 150, cos150 = -cos30 = - √3/2, 1/(1 + cosx) = 1/(1 - √3/2) =

2/(2 - √3) = 2(2 + √3) = 4 + 2√3]

2. 1/(1 + tanx)

ANSWER: (3 + √3)/2
[sinx = ½, x = 150, tan150 = tan(-30) = - tan30 = -1/√3, 1/(1 + tanx) = 1/(1 – 1/√3)
= √3/(√3 – 1) = √3(√3 + 1)/2 = (3 + √3)/2]

3. 1/(cosx + sinx)

ANSWER: -(1 + √3)

[sinx = ½, x = 150, cos150 = - √3/2, 1/(sinx + cosx) = 1/(1/2 - √3/2) = 2/(1 - √3) = 2(1 +
√3)/-2 = -(1 + √3)]

Find the degree measures of the interior angles of a pentagon if

1. the exterior angles are in the ratio 2 : 3 : 3 : 5 : 5

ANSWER: 140°, 120°, 120°, 80°, 80°

[2x + 3x + 3x + 5x + 5x = 18x = 360, x = 20, exterior angles are 40, 60, 60, 100,
100, interior angles are 140, 120, 120, 80, 80]

2. the exterior angles are in the ratio 4 : 5 : 5 : 8 : 8

ANSWER: 132°, 120°, 120°, 84°, 84°

[4x + 5x + 5x + 8x + 8x = 30x = 360, x = 12, exterior angles are 48, 60, 60, 96, 96,
interior angles are 132, 120, 120, 84, 84]

3. the exterior angles are in the ratio 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5

ANSWER: 156°, 132°, 108°, 84°, 60°

[x + 2x + 3x +4x + 5x = 15x = 360, x = 24, exterior angles are 24, 48, 72, 96, 120,
interior angles are 156, 132, 108, 84, 60]

1. Find the inverse of the function f(x) = (3x + 2)/(2x – 3)

ANSWER: f-1(x) = (3x + 2)/(2x – 3)

[ y = (3x + 2)/(2x – 3), x = (3y + 2)/(2y – 3), x(2y – 3) = 3y + 2, y(2x – 3) = 3x + 2
y = (3x + 2)/(2x – 3) = f-1(x) = (3x + 2)/(2x – 3)]

2. If 2 and 3 are the roots of the equation x2 + bx + c = 0, evaluate b2 + c2.

ANSWER: 61
[b = -(2 + 3) = - 5, c = 2(3) = 6, b2 + c2 = 25 + 36 = 61]

3. Solve for x from the equation (2/3)x = (27/8)4/3

ANSWER: x = -4
[(2/3)x = (3/2)4 = (2/3)-4, x = -4]
Factorise completely the cubic expression
1. 8x3 + 64
ANSWER: 8(x + 2)(x2 – 2x + 4)
[8(x3 + 8) = 8(x + 2)(x2 – 2x + 4)]
2. 250x3 – 54y3
ANSWER: 2(5x – 3y)(25x2 + 15xy + 9y2)
[2(125x3 – 27y3) = 2((5x)3 – (3y)3) = 2(5x – 3y)(25x2 + 15xy + 9y2)]
3. 64x3 + 27y3
ANSWER: (4x + 3y)(16x2 - 12xy + 9y2)
[(4x)3 + (3y)3 = (4x + 3y)(16x2 - 12xy + 9y2)]

Two events A and B are such that P(A) = 0.5 and P(B) = 0.8. Find

1. P(A∪B) if A and B are independent,

ANSWER: 0.9
[P(A∩B) = 0.5(0.8) = 0.4, P(A∪B) = 0.5 + 0.8 – 0.4 = 0.9]

2. P(A∩B) if P(A∪B) = 0.95,

ANSWER: 0.45
[P(A∩B) = 0.5 + 0.8 – 0.95 = 1.4 – 0.95 = 0.45]

3. P(A∪B) if P(A∩B) = 0.48

ANSWER: 0.82
P(A∪B) = P(A) + P(B) - P(A∩B) = 0.5+ 0.8 – 0.48 = 0.82]

1. The sum Sn of a sequence is given by Sn = n2 - 3n + 2. Find the fourth term of the

sequence.

ANSWER: U4 = 4

[U4 = S4 – S3 = (16 – 12 + 2) – (9 – 9 + 2) = 6 – 2 = 4]

2. If y = (x2 + 2x) 5, find dy/dx

ANSWER: dy/dx = 10(x + 1)(x2 + 2x)4

[ dy/dx = 5(2x + 2)(x2 + 2x)4 = 10(x + 1)(x2 + 2x)4

3. If the magnitude of the vector a = 5i + xj is 13, find the value of x.

ANSWER: x = ± 12
[ 25 + x2 = 169, x2 = 169 – 25 = 144, x = ±12]
Solve the equation for x. You may leave answer as a logarithm
1. 2(42x) + 4x – 10 = 0
ANSWER: x = log42, or log2/log4 or 1/2
[2(4x)2 + 4x – 10 = 0. Let y = 4x, 2y2 + y – 10 = (2y + 5)(y – 2) = 0, 4x = 2, x = log42, or x =
log2/log4 = ½]
2. 6(52x) + 20(5x) + 14 = 0
ANSWER: No real solution
[6(5x)2 + 20(5x) + 14 = 0. Let y = 5x, 6y2 + 20y + 14 = (6y + 14)(y + 1) = 0,
5x = -1, - 7/3, no solution since 5x is non-negative]
3. 3(72x) – 7x – 4 = 0
ANSWER: x = log7(4/3) or x = log(4/3)/log7
[ 3(7x)2 – 7x – 4 = 0. Let y = 7x, 3y2 – y – 4 = (3y - 4)(y + 1) = 0, 7x = 4/3, x = log7(4/3) or x
= log(4/3)/log7]

Solve for x in the interval 0 < x < 90° the trigonometric equation:

1. sin56°cosx + cos56°sinx = √3/2

ANSWER: x = 4°, 64°

[sin(56 + x) = √3/2, 56 + x = 60, 120, 56 + x = 60, x = 4, 56 + x = 120, x = 120 –
56 = 64]

2. cos148°cosx + sin148°sinx = ½

ANSWER: x = 88°
[cos(148 – x) = ½, 148 – x = 60, x = 148 – 60 = 88]

3. sin75°cosx – cos75°sinx = 1/√2

ANSWER: x = 30°
[sin(75 – x) = 45, 135, 75 – x = 45, x = 30, 75 – x = 135, x =75 – 135 < 0]

1. If the term in x2 in the expansion of (1 + 2x)4 and that of (1 + ax)5 are the same,
find the value of a2.

ANSWER: a2 = 12/5
[6(2x)2 = 10(ax)2, 24 = 10a2, a2 = 24/10 = 12/5]

2. Find the equation of a line with slope 3/4 and passing through the point A(3, 2).

ANSWER: y = (3x – 1)/4, or y = (¾)x – 1/4 , or 3x – 4y = 1

[ (y - 2) = (3/4)(x – 3), y = (3x – 1)/4, or 3x – 4y = 1]
 3. The first 2 terms of an exponential sequence are 2 - √3 and 2 + √3 respectively.
Find the common ratio r. Simplify your answer.

ANSWER: r = 7 + 4√3
[r = (2 + √3)/(2 - √3) = (2 + √3)2 = (4 + 3) + 2(2)√3 = 7 + 4√3]

Find the amount needed for each concentration

1. A chemist needs to mix a 5% acid solution with a 10% acid solution to
obtain 50 liters of an 8% acid solution.
ANSWER: 20 liters of 5% acid solution, 30 liters of 10% acid solution
[0.05x + (50 – x)0.1 = 50(0.08), 5x + 10(50 – x) = 400, 100 = 5x, x = 20]
2. A chemist needs to mix a 30% acid solution with a 10% acid solution to
obtain 50 liters of a 20% acid solution.
ANSWER: 25 liters of 30% acid solution, 25 liters of 10% acid solution
[0.3x + (50 – x)0.1 = 50(0.2), 30x + 10(50 – x) = 1000, 20x = 500, x = 25]
3. A lab technician mixes a 10% alcohol solution with a 25% alcohol solution to
obtain 30 liters of a 20% alcohol solution.
ANSWER: 10 liters of 10% alcohol solution, 20 liters of 25% alcohol solution
[0.1x + (30 – x)(0.25) = 30(0.2), 10x + (30 – x)25 = 600, 150 = 15x, x = 10]

Solve the trigonometric equation for the interval 0 < x < π.

1. tan2x = 1/3
ANSWER: x = π/6, 5π/6 radians
[tanx = ± 1/√3, tanx = 1/√3, x = π/6, tanx = -1/√3, x = (π – π/6) = 5π/6]
2. 2sin2x - √2sinx = 0
ANSWER: x = π/4, 3π/4 radians
[2sinx(sinx – 1/√2) = 0, sinx = 0, no solution, sinx = 1/√2, x = π/4, 3π/4]
3. cos2 x = 1/4
ANSWER: x = π/3, 2π/3 radians
[cosx = ± 1/2, cosx = 1/2, x = π/3, cosx = -1/2, x = (π – π/3) = 2π/3]

Find a relation between x and y given that

1. x = t2, y = 2t3

ANSWER: y2 = 4x3
[x3 = t6, y2 = 4t6, y2/x3 = 4t6/t6, y2 = 4x3]
 2. x = 2t – 1, y = 4t2 + 2t

ANSWER: y = (x + 1)2 + (x + 1), or y = x2 + 3x + 2

[2t = (x + 1), y = (x + 1)2 + (x + 1) = x2 + 2x + 1 + x + 1 = x2 + 3x + 2]

3. x = 1/t2, y = 2t

ANSWER: xy2 = 4, or y2 = 4/x

[t = (y/2), x = 1/(y/2)2 = 4/y2, xy2 = 4, or y2 = 4/x]

1. Find the equation of the perpendicular bisector of the line segment joining the
origin and the point A(2, -1).

ANSWER: 4x – 2y - 5 = 0, or y = 2x - 5/2
[x2 + y2 = (x – 2)2 + (y + 1)2, 0 = -4x + 4 + 2y + 1, 2y – 4x + 5 = 0 or y = 2x - 5/2]

2. Find all real solutions of the equation x5 + 64x2 = 0

ANSWER: x = 0, - 4
[x2(x3 + 64) = 0, x = 0 or x3 = -64, x = - 4]

3. Find the solution set of the inequality (x – 2)/(x + 2) < 0

ANSWER: {x: -2 < x < 2}

[(x – 2)(x + 2) < 0, -2 < x < 2]

Express the given number as the difference of two squares of positive integers
1. 45
ANSWER: 72 – 22 (49 – 4), 92 – 62 (81 – 36), 232 – 222 (529 – 484)
[a2 – b2 = (a + b)(a – b) = 5 x 9, a + b = 9, a – b = 5, 2a = 14, a = 7, b = 2]
Alt. a + b = 15, a – b = 3, 2a = 18, a = 9, b = 6, a + b = 45, a – b = 1, 2a = 46, a =
23, b = 22] (NB: Any one of the differences is sufficient)
2. 32
ANSWER: 62 – 22 (36 – 4), 92 - 72 (81 – 49)
[a2 – b2 = (a + b)(a – b) = 32, a + b = 8, a – b = 4, a = 6, b = 2,
Alt. a + b = 16, a – b = 2, a = 9, b = 7, ]
3. 15
ANSWER: 42 – 12 (16 – 1), 82 - 72 (64 – 49)
[a2 – b2 = (a + b)(a – b) = 15 = 5 x 3, a + b = 5, a – b = 3, a = 4, b = 1,
Alt. (a + b)(a – b) = 15 x 1= a + b = 15, a – b = 1, 2a = 16, a = 8, b = 7]
Find the inverse of the given logarithmic function.
1. y = loga(x – 2)
ANSWER: y = ax + 2
[ x = loga(y – 2), y – 2 = ax, y = ax + 2]
2. y = log2(2x + 1)
ANSWER: y = (2x – 1)/2
[ x = log2(2y + 1), 2y + 1 = 2x, y = (2x – 1)/2]
3. y = 2log3(x – 3)
ANSWER: y = 3x/2 +3
[x/2 = log3(y – 3), y – 3 = 3x/2, y = 3x/2 + 3]

A particle is moving in a straight line from a point O to a point A with a constant

acceleration of 3m/s2. The velocity at A is 30m/s and it takes 10 seconds from O to
A. Find

1. the initial velocity at O

ANSWER: 0 m/s

[ v = u + at, u = v – at = 30 – 30 = 0]

2. the distance from O to A

ANSWER: 150 m
[v2 = 2as, s = v2/2a = 302/2(3) = 900/6 = 150 m]

3. the initial velocity at O if the velocity at A is 48 m/s and it takes 12 seconds

from O to A].

ANSWER: 12 m/s
[v = u + at, 48 = u + 3(12), u = 48 – 36 = 12 m/s]

1. Find the remainder R when f(x) = 3x3 – 4x2 + 2x – 10 is divided by (x – 2)

ANSWER: R = 2
[R = f(2) = 24 – 16 + 4 – 10 = 28 – 26 = 2

2. Find the constant term in the binomial expansion of (x3 + 1/x)8

ANSWER: 28
[8Crx3r(x-1)8 – r = 8Crx4r – 8, 4r – 8 = 0, r = 2, 8C2 = 8 x 7 /2 = 28]

3. Find the values of b and c if the inequality x2 + bx + c < 0 has solution set
{x: -5 < x < 3}
ANSWER: b = 2, c = -15
[ (x - 3)(x + 5) = x2 + 2x – 15 < 0, b = 2, c = -15]

Find the area of a rhombus having an angle of 60° if

1. a side has length 10cm,
ANSWER: 50√3 cm2
[Area = a2sinθ = 100sin60 = 100√3/2 = 50√3 cm2]
2. the shorter diagonal has length 20 cm,
ANSWER: 200√3 cm2
[longer diagonal = 2x, x = 10tan60 = 10√3, Area = ½ d1d2 = ½(20)(20√3)
= 200√3 cm2]
3. the longer diagonal has length 20 cm.
ANSWER: 200/√3 cm2 or 200√3/3 cm2
[shorter diagonal = 2x, x = 10tan30= 10/√3, Area = ½ d1d2 = ½(20)(20/√3) =
200/√3 = 200√3/3cm2]

Simplify the complex fraction

1. (x/y – 1 – 6y/x)/(x/y + 4 + 4y/x)
ANSWER: (x – 3y)/(x + 2y)
[(x2 – xy – 6y2)/(x2 + 4xy + 4y2) = (x – 3y)(x + 2y)/(x + 2y)(x + 2y) =
(x – 3y)/(x + 2y)]
2. (6/(x + 3) – 4/(x – 4))/(2/(x – 4) + 5/(x + 3))
ANSWER: (2x – 36)/(7x – 14) or 2(x – 18)/7(x – 2)
[(6(x – 4) – 4(x + 3))/(2(x + 3) + 5(x – 4)) = (2x – 36)/(7x – 14)]
3. (4/(x – 3) + 3/(x + 3))/(3x/(x2 – 9))
ANSWER: (7x + 3)/3x
[(4(x + 3) + 3(x – 3))/3x = ((4x + 3x) + (12 - 9))/3x = (7x + 3)/3x]

Find the values of the constants a and b given that a particle is in equilibrium
under the action of the forces

1. (3i + 5j)N, (-7i + 2j)N and (ai + bj)N

ANSWER: a = 4, b = - 7 [(3i + 5j) + (-7i + 2j) + (ai + bj) = 0, 3 – 7 + a = 0, a =

4, 5 + 2 + b = 0, b = -7]

2. (-5i + 7j)N, (9i – 8j)N, (ai + bj)N

ANSWER: a = -4, b = 1 [(-5i + 7j) + (9i – 8j) + (ai + bj) = 0, -5 +9 + a = 0, a =
-4, 7 – 8 + b = 0, b = 1]
 3. (-4i + 5j)N, (-2i – 8j)N, (ai + bj)N

ANSWER: a = 6, b = 3 [(-4i + 5j) + (-2i – 8j) + (ai + bj) = 0, - 4 - 2 + a = 0, a =

6, 5 – 8 + b = 0, b = 3]

1. The sides of a right-angle triangle are x, 2x – 1 and 2x + 1. Find the value of x.

ANSWER: x = 8
[(2x + 1)2 = (2x – 1)2 + x2, 4x2 + 4x + 1 = 4x2 – 4x + 1 + x2, x2 – 8x = 0, x = 8]

2. Find the second derivative of y = 2x4 – 3x3 + 15x.

ANSWER: d2y/dx2 = 24x2 – 18x

[dy/dx = 8x3 – 9x2 + 15, d2y/dx2 = 24x2 – 18x]

3. Solve the equation log7(3x + 7) = 2

ANSWER: x = 14
[3x + 7 = 72 = 49, 3x = 42, x = 14]

Find the solution set of the cubic inequality.

1. (x + 2)(x – 3)(x – 5) > 0
ANSWER: {x: x > 5, or – 2 < x < 3}
2. (x – 1)(x - 3)(x + 1) < 0
ANSWER: {x: x < -1, or 1 < x < 3}
3. (x + 3)(x – 2)(x + 2) > 0
ANSWER: {x: -3 < x < -2, or x > 2}

In a triangle, find the length

1. of a side if the area is 80cm2 and the altitude to that side has length 10cm,
ANSWER: 16 cm
[A = ½ bh, 80 = ½ (b)10, b = 160/10 = 16 cm]
2. of an altitude if the area is 120 cm2 and the side to which the altitude is
drawn has length 12 cm.
ANSWER: 20 cm
[A = ½ bh, 120 = (1/2) (12)h, 6h = 120, h = 20 cm]
3. of a side if the area is 27cm2 and the side is 3 cm longer than its altitude
ANSWER: 9cm
[(1/2) x(x – 3) = 27, x2 – 3x – 54 = (x – 9)(x + 6) = 0, x = 9]
Find the inverse of the linear transformation

1. T: (x, y) → (2x + 3y, x + 2y)

ANSWER: T-1: (x, y)→(2x – 3y, -x + 2y)

 2 3 2 −3 
[A =   , detA = 4 – 3 = 1, A = 
-1
 , T : (x, y) → (2x – 3y, -x + 2y)]
-1
 1 2   − 1 2 

2. T: (x, y) → (x + 3y, x + 4y)

ANSWER: T-1: (x, y)→(4x – 3y, -x + y)

1 3  4 −3 
[A =   , detA = 4 – 3 = 1, A = 
-1
 , T : (x, y) → (4x – 3y, -x + y)]
-1
1 4   −1 1 

3. T: (x, y) → (2x + y, x + y)

ANSWER: T-1: (x, y) → (x – y, -x + 2y)

 2 1 1 −1
[A =   , detA = 2 – 1 = 1, A = 
-1
 , T : (x, y) → (𝑥 − 𝑦, −𝑥 + 2𝑦)]
-1
 1 1  −1 2 

1. Find the volume obtained by rotating the curve y = √x about the x-axis on the
interval 4 ≤ x ≤ 10.

ANSWER: 42π cubic units

10 10
[Volume = π  y dx = π  xdx = πx2/2 |4 = π(100/2 – 16/2) = π(50 – 8) = 42π]
2 10

4 4

2. Given that 2x + 1 ≤ f(x) ≤ 16 – x2 over an interval containing x = 3, find

Lim f ( x) .
x →3

ANSWER: 7
[ Lim (2x + 1) ≤ Lim f(x) ≤ Lim (16 – x2), 7 ≤ Lim f(x) ≤ 7, hence Lim f(x) = 7]
x →3 x →3 x →3 x →3 x →3

3. Find the values of the constants a and b given that the inequality x2 + ax + b > 0
has solution set {x: x < -5, or x > 8}

ANSWER: a = -3, b = -40

[(x + 5)(x – 8) > 0, x2 – 3x – 40 > 0, a = -3 and b = -40]

Find the area of a segment of a circle of radius 10 cm if the angle at the center is

1. 60°
ANSWER: 50(π/3 - √3/2) cm2, or 25(2π - 3√3)/3 cm2
[Area = ½ r2(θ – sinθ) = 50(π/3 - √3/2) = 25(2π - 3√3)/3]
 2. 45°
ANSWER: 50(π/4 – 1/√2)cm2, or 25(π - 2√2)/2cm2]
[Area = ½ r2(θ – sinθ) = 50(π/4 – 1/√2) = 25(π - 2√2)/2]
3. 120°
ANSWER: 50(2π/3 - √3/2)cm2, or 25(4π - 3√3)/3cm2
[Area = ½ r2(θ – sinθ) = 50(2π/3 - √3/2) = 25(4π - 3√3)/3]

Simplify the complex fraction

1. (1 + 8/x + 12/x2)/(1 + 6/x + 8/x2)
ANSWER: (x + 6)/(x + 4) [(x2 + 8x + 12)/(x2 + 6x + 8) =
(x + 6)(x + 2)/(x + 4)(x + 2) = (x + 6)/(x + 4)]
2. (1 + 8/x3 + 15/x6)/(1 + 9/x3 + 18/x6)
ANSWER: (x3 + 5)/(x3 + 6) [(x6 + 8x3 + 15)/(x6 + 9x3 + 18) =
(x3 + 3)(x3 + 5)/(x3 + 3)(x3 + 6) =(x3 + 5)/(x3 + 6)]
3. (1 + 3/x2 + 2/x4)/(1 + 4/x2 + 3/x4)
ANSWER: (x2 + 2)/(x2 + 3) [(x4 + 3x2 + 2)/(x4 + 4x2 + 3) =
(x2 + 1)(x2 + 2)/(x2 + 1)(x2 + 3)= (x2 + 2)/(x2 + 3)]

Find dy/dx from the implicit equation

1. 5x2 – 2xy – 3y2 = 5

ANSWER: dy/dx = (5x – y)/(x + 3y)

[ 10x – 2y – 2xdy/dx – 6ydy/dx = 0, dy/dx(2x + 6y) = 10x – 2y,
dy/dx = (5x – y)/(x + 3y)]

2. 3x2 – 3xy + 4y2 = 10

ANSWER: dy/dx = (6x – 3y)/(3x – 8y)

[6x – 3y – 3xdy/dx + 8ydy/dx = 0, 6x – 3y = (dy/dx)(3x – 8y),
dy/dx = (6x – 3y)/(3x – 8y)]

3. 2x2 + 5xy – 4y2 = 20

ANSWER: dy/dx = (4x + 5y)/(8y – 5x)

[4x + 5y + 5x(dy/dx) – 8y(dy/dx) = 0, (4x + 5y) = (dy/dx)(8y – 5x).
dy/dx = (4x + 5y)/(8y – 5x)]
 1. Solve the equation tan2x + tanx = 0 for – 90° < x < 90°

ANSWER: x = 0°, -45°

[tanx(tanx + 1) = 0, tanx = 0, x = 0°, tanx = -1, x = -45°]

2. Find n given 121n – 43n = 3310

ANSWER: n = 7
[ n2 + 2n + 1 – 4n – 3 = n2 – 2n – 2 = 33, n2 – 2n – 35 = (n – 7)(n + 5) = 0, n = 7]

3. Find x given that the vectors a = 4i + xj and b = i – 4xj are perpendicular.

ANSWER: x = ± 1
[a.b = 4 – 4x2 = 0, x2 = 1, x = ± 1]

Integrate the given expression with respect to x.

1. (x4 – x2)/(x2 + x)

ANSWER: x3/3 – x2/2 + C

[(x2 + x) (x2 – x)/ (x2 + x) = x2 – x,  (x − x)dx = x3 / 3 − x 2 / 2 + C ]
2

2. (x4 – 16)/(x2 + 4)

ANSWER: x3/3 – 4x + C
[(x2 + 4)(x2 - 4)/(x2 + 4) = x2 - 4,  (x − 4)dx = x3 / 3 − 4 x + C ]
2

3. (x3 – 1)/(x – 1)

ANSWER: x3/3 + x2/2 + x + C

[(x – 1)(x2 + x + 1)/(x - 1) = (x2 + x + 1),  ( x 2 + x + 1)dx = x3 / 3 + x 2 / 2 + x + C ]

A and B are acute angles such that sinA = 4/5 and sinB = 12/13. Find the value of

1. sin(A – B)

ANSWER: - 16/65
[sin(A – B) = sinAcosB – cosAsinB = (4/5)(5/13) – (3/5)(12/13) =
(20 – 36)/65 = –16/65]

2. cos(A + B)

ANSWER: - 33/65
[cos(A + B) = cosAcosB – sinAsinB = (3/5)(5/13)- (4/5)(12/13) =
(15 – 48)/65 = - 33/65]
 3. cos(B – A)

ANSWER: 63/65
[ cos(B – A) = cosBcosA + sinBsinA = (5/13)(3/5) + (12/13)(4/5) =
(15 + 48)/65 = 63/65]

A bag contains 8 white balls, 7 black balls and 5 red balls. Two balls are drawn at
random one after the other from the bag without replacement. Find the
probability

1. one ball is white and one black

ANSWER: 28/95
[A = {WB, BW}, P(A) = (8/20)(7/19) + (7/20)(8/19) = 28/95]

2. one ball is black and one red

ANSWER: 7/38
[C = {BR, RB}, P(C) = (7/20)(5/19) + (5/20)(7/19) = 7/(2 x 19) = 7/38]

3. one ball is red and one white

ANSWER: 4/19
[D = {RW, WR}, P(D) = (5/20)(8/19) + (8/20)(5/19) = 4/19

1. Find the zeros of the function f(x) = 3x3 – 2x2 - 27x + 18 = 0.

ANSWER: x = ± 3, 2/3
[x2(3x – 2) – 9(3x – 2) = (x2 – 9)(3x – 2) = 0, x = ± 3, 2/3]

2. Simplify (3√3 - 4√2)(3√3 + 4√2)

ANSWER: - 5
[(3√3)2 – (4√2)2 = 27 – 32 = - 5]

3. If the sides of a right-angle triangle are x, 2x + 2 and 2x + 3, find x.

ANSWER: x = 5
[(2x + 3)2 = (2x + 2)2 + x2, 4x2 + 12x + 9 = 4x2 + 8x + 4 + x2, x2 – 4x – 5 = (x – 5)(x + 1) = 0,
x = 5]

Find the slope of the tangent to the given curve at the point A on the curve.

1. 2x2 – 3xy + y2 = 3 at the point A(2, 1).

ANSWER: 5/4
[4x – 3y – 3x(dy/dx) + 2y(dy/dx) = 0, dy/dx = (4x – 3y)/(3x – 2y) = (8 – 3)/(6 –
2) = 5/4]

2. x2 + xy + y2 = 7 at the point A(1, 2),

ANSWER: -4/5
[2x + y + x(dy/dx) + 2y(dy/dx) = 0,
dy/dx = -(2x + y)/(x + 2y)= -4/5]

3. 2x2 – xy – y2 = 10 at the point A(2, -3).

ANSWER: -11/4
[4x – y – xdy/dx – 2y(dy/dx) = 0,
(dy/dx) = (4x – y)/(x + 2y) = (8 + 3)/(2 – 6) = -11/4]

Find the coordinates of the vertex of the given quadratic curve

1. y = 1 + 10x – x2

ANSWER: (5, 26)

[ -x2 + 10x + 1 = -(x2 – 10x) + 1 = -(x – 5)2 + 25 + 1, vertex = (5, 26)]

2. y = 5 – 12x – x2

ANSWER: (-6, 41)

[-x2 - 12x + 5 = -(x2 + 12x + 36) + 5 + 36 = -(x + 6)2 + 41, vertex = (-6, 41)]

3. y = -20 + 8x – x2

ANSWER: (4, -4)

[-(x2 - 8x + 16) + 16 – 20 = -(x - 4)2 – 4, vertex = (4, -4)

A committee of 4 is to be chosen from 4 men and 4 women. In how many ways can
this be done if

1. any one can be chosen,

ANSWER: 70
[8C4 = 8 x 7 x 6 x 5 /4 x 3 x 2 x 1 = 70]

2. there are 2 men and 2 women on the committee,

ANSWER: 36
[4C2 x 4C2 = ((4 x 3)/2) x ((4 x 3)/2) = 6 x 6 = 36]

3. there are 3 women and 1 man on the committee?

ANSWER: 16
[4C3 x 4C1 = 4 x 4 = 16]
 1. A ball is dropped from a height 30m above the ground. Find the speed with
which it hits the ground. Take g = 10 m/s2 (Leave answer as a surd)

ANSWER: 10√6 m/s

[v2 = u2 + 2as = 0 + 2(10)30 = 600, v = 10√6 m/s ]

2. A binary operation ∗ is defined on the set of integers Z by a ∗ b = a + b – 3.

Find the identity e for the operation

ANSWER: e = 3
[ a ∗ e = a + e – 3 = a, e – 3 = 0, e = 3]

3. Find the inverse of the function f(x) = 3/x + 5, defined for x ≠ 0

ANSWER : f-1 (x) = 3/(x – 5), for x ≠ 5

[y = 3/x + 5, x = 3/y + 5, xy = 3 + 5y, y(x – 5) = 3, y = 3/(x – 5), f-1(x) = 3/(x – 5) for x ≠ 5]

Find the first three terms of an exponential sequence if they are represented by

1. (x + 4), x, (x – 6)

ANSWER: -8, -12, - 18

[x2 = (x + 4)(x – 6) = x2 – 2x – 24, 2x + 24 = 0, x = -12, hence - 8, - 12, - 18]

2. (x – 4), x, (x + 6)

ANSWER: 8, 12, 18
[x2 = (x – 4)(x + 6) = x2 + 2x – 24, 2x – 24 = 0, x = 12, hence 8, 12, 18]

3. (x + 4), x, (x – 2)

ANSWER: 8, 4, 2
[x2 = (x + 4)(x – 2) = x2 + 2x – 8, 2x – 8 = 0, x = 4, hence 8, 4, 2]

Express in the form of an inequality the set of points in the x - y plane

1. inside the circle with center (2, -3) and radius 5,

ANSWER: {(x, y): (x – 2)2 + (y + 3)2 < 25}

2. inside and on the circle with center (-3, 4) and radius 4,

ANSWER: {(x, y): (x + 3)2 + (y – 4)2 ≤ 16}

3. outside the circle with center (4, -2) and radius 2,

ANSWER: {(x, y): (x – 4)2 + (y + 2)2 > 4}

Find the exact value of

1. sin-1(sin(5π/3))

ANSWER: -π/3
[sin(5π/3) = sin(2π – π/3) = sin(-π/3), sin-1(sin(-π/3)) = -π/3]

2. tan-1(tan(5π/4))

ANSWER: π/4
[tan(5π/4) = tan(π + π/4) = tan(π/4), tan-1(tanπ/4) = π/4]

3. cos-1(cos4π/3)

ANSWER: 2π/3
[cos(4π/3) = cos(2π - 2π/3) = cos(-2π/3) = cos(2π/3), cos-1(cos2π/3) = 2π/3]

1. Find the cosine of the angle θ between the vectors a = 12i – 5j and b = 4i + 3j.

ANSWER: cosθ = 33/65

[cosθ = a.b/|a||b| = (48 – 15)/13(5) = 33/65]

2. Find the quadratic equation with roots √5 ± 2.

ANSWER: x2 - 2√5x + 1 = 0
[sum of roots = 2√5, product = (√5 + 2)(√5 – 2) = 5 – 4 = 1, x2 - 2√5x + 1 = 0 ]

3. Expand and simplify (1 + √3)3

ANSWER: 10 + 6√3
[ 1 + 3√3 + 3(√3)2 + (√3)3 = (1 + 9) + 3√3 + 3√3 = 10 + 6√3]

Solve for x from the radical equation

1. 2√(3x – 2) = x + 2

ANSWER: x = 6, 2
[4(3x – 2) = x2 + 4x + 4, x2 – 8x + 12 = (x – 6)(x – 2) = 0, x = 2, 6]

2. x - √(4x – 3) = 2

ANSWER: x = 7
[x – 2 = √(4x – 3), x2 – 4x + 4 = 4x – 3, x2 - 8x + 7 = (x - 7)(x - 1) = 0, x = 7]

3. √(x2 + 3x – 3) = 5

ANSWER: x = -7, 4
[x2 + 3x – 3 = 25, x2 + 3x – 28 = (x + 7)(x – 4) = 0, x = -7, 4]
Given that 0°< x < 180°, solve the trigonometric equation

1. tanx = - tan36°

ANSWER: x = 144°
[tanx = -tan36 = tan(180 – 36), x = 180 – 36 = 144]

2. tanx = - tan100°

ANSWER: x = 80°
[tanx = -tan100 = tan(180 – 100) , x = 180 – 100 = 80]

3. tanx = - tan 123°

ANSWER: x = 57°
[tanx = -tan123 = tan(180 – 123) , x = 180 – 123 = 57]

A linear transformation is defined by T: (x, y)→(x - 2y, -3x + 5y). Find the values of
x and y given that the image of the point A(x, y) is the point

1. (1, - 2)

ANSWER: x = -1, y = -1
[x – 2y = 1, -3x + 5y = -2, 3(x – 2y) + (-3x +5y) = 3 – 2 = 1, y = -1, x = -1]

2. (2, 3)

ANSWER: x = -16, y = -9
[x – 2y = 2, -3x + 5y = 3, 3(x – 2y) + (-3x + 5y) = 9, - y = 9, y = -9, x = -16]

3. (-3, 5)

ANSWER: x = 5, y = 4
[x – 2y = -3, -3x + 5y = 5, 3(x – 2y) + (-3x + 5y) = 3(-3) + 5 = - 4,
y = 4, x = 5]

1. Evaluate and simplify (cos30° + sin60°)/(tan45° – tan60°)

ANSWER: -(3 + √3)/2

[(√3/2 + √3/2)/(1 - √3) = √3/(1 - √3) = √3(1 + √3)/(1 – 3) = -(3 + √3)/2]

2. Given 3x2 – 2xy + y2 = 6 evaluate dy/dx at (1, - 1)

ANSWER: 2
[6x – 2y – 2xdy/dx + 2ydy/dx = 0, (dy/dx)(2x – 2y) = 6x – 2y, dy/dx = (3x – y)/(x – y) =
4/2 = 2]
 (2 x3 − 3x 2 + 5)
3. Find the integral  x2
dx

ANSWER: x2 – 3x – 5/x + C
[  (2 x − 3 + 5 / x 2 )dx = x 2 − 3x − 5 / x + C ]

1. The sum of three consecutive even integers is at least 24 and at most 36.
List all possible values for the 3 integers.
ANSWER: {6, 8, 10}, {8, 10, 12}, {10, 12, 14} (1 mark for each triple)
[24 ≤ (x – 2) + x + (x + 2) ≤ 36, 24 ≤ 3x ≤ 36, 8 ≤ x ≤ 12, x = 8, 10, 12]
2. The sum of three consecutive odd integers is at least 39 and at most 51. List
all possible values for the 3 integers.
ANSWER: {11, 13, 15} , {13, 15, 17}, {15, 17, 19}
[39 ≤ (x – 2) + x + (x + 2) ≤ 51, 39 ≤ 3x ≤ 51, 13 ≤ x ≤ 17, x = 13, 15, 17]
3. The sum of three consecutive integers is at least 33 and at most 39. List all
possible values for the 3 integers,
ANSWER: {10, 11, 12}, {11, 12, 13}, {12, 13, 14}
[33 ≤ (x – 1) + x + (x + 1) ≤ 39, 33 ≤ 3x ≤ 39, 11 ≤ x ≤ 13, x = 11, 12, 13]

Factorize the cubic polynomial completely.

1. x3 + x2 – 10x + 8

ANSWER: (x – 1)(x - 2)(x + 4)

[(x – 1) is a factor, x3 + x2 – 10x + 8 = (x – 1)(x2 + ax – 8), (a – 1)x2 = 1x2, a = 2
x2 + 2x – 8 = (x + 4)(x - 2), hence (x – 1)(x - 2)(x + 4)]

2. 2x3 – x2 – 7x + 6

ANSWER: (x – 1)(x + 2)(2x - 3)

[(x – 1) is a factor, 2x3 – x2 – 7x + 6 = (x – 1)(2x2 + ax – 6), (a – 2)x2 = -1x2, a = 1
2x2 + x – 6 = (2x – 3)(x + 2), hence (x – 1)(x + 2)(2x – 3)]

3. x3 - 2x2 – 13x - 10

ANSWER: (x + 1)(x + 2)(x – 5)

[(x + 1) is a factor, x3 – 2x2 – 13x – 10 = (x + 1)(x2 + ax – 10), (a + 1)x2 = -2x2, a = -3
x2 – 3x – 10 = (x – 5)(x + 2), hence (x + 1)(x + 2)(x – 5)]
Find the quadratic equation with integer coefficients having as one of its roots

1. 3 + 2√3

ANSWER: x2 – 6x – 3 = 0
[roots are 3 ± 2√3, sum = 6, product = 9 – 12 = - 3, hence x2 – 6x – 3 = 0]

2. 4 - 2√2

ANSWER: x2 – 8x + 8 = 0
[roots are 4 ± 2√2, sum = 8, product = 16 – 8 = 8, hence x2 – 8x + 8 = 0]

3. -5 + 2√7

ANSWER: x2 + 10x – 3 = 0 [roots are -5 ± 2√7, sum = -10,

product = 25 – 28 = -3, hence x2 + 10x – 3 = 0]

1. If sinx = 1/√2 and cosx < 0, find x in the interval 0 < x < 2π

ANSWER: x = 3π/4
[ sinx > 0 and cosx < 0, hence x is in second quadrant, x = 3π/4]

2. The sum of the first n terms of a series is Sn = 5n2 - 3n for n ≥ 1. Find the first
three terms of the series.

ANSWER: U1 = 2, U2 = 12, U3 = 22
[U1 = S1 = 5 – 3 = 2, U2 = S2 – S1 = (20 – 6) – 2 = 14 – 2 = 12, U3 = S3 – S2 = (45 – 9) – 14 =
45 – 23 = 22]

3. In a circle, the radius is 10 cm and an arc subtends an angle of 60° at the center.
Find the area of the sector formed by the arc and the relevant radii.

ANSWER: 50π/3 cm2

[60° ≡ π/3 radians, A = ½ r2θ = ½ (100)π/3 = 50π/3 cm2]

Solve the trigonometric equation for x in the interval 90° < x < 180°

1. sinx = sin37°

ANSWER: x = 143°
[ sinx = sin(180 – 37), x = 180 – 37 = 143°]

2. cosx = -cos65°

ANSWER: x = 115°
[-cos65 = cos(180 – 65), cosx = cos(180 – 65), x = 180 – 65, x = 115°]
 3. tanx = -tan52°

ANSWER: x = 128°
[tanx = tan(180 – 52), x = 180 – 52 = 128°]

Find the coordinates of the vertices of a triangle if the vertices lie on the lines with
equations

1. x + y = 2, x – y = 4, 2x – y = 4

ANSWER: (3, 1), (2, 0), (0, -4)

[x + y = 2, x – y = 4, 2x = 6, x = 3, y = -1, (3, -1), x + y = 2, 2x – y = 4, 3x = 6, x =
2, y = 0, (2, 0), x – y = 4, 2x – y = 4, x = 0, y = -4, (0, -4)]

2. y = x, y = -x + 2, y = 2x - 4

ANSWER: (1, 1), (4, 4), (2, 0)

[ y = x, y = -x + 2, 2y = 2, y = 1, x = 1, (1, 1); y = x, y = 2x - 4, x - 4 = 0, x = 4, y =
4, (4, 4); y = -x + 2, y = 2x - 4, -x + 2 = 2x - 4, 3x = 6, x = 2, y = 0, (2, 0)]

3. x + y = 6, 2x + y = 6, y = 2x

ANSWER: (2, 4), (3/2, 3), (0, 6)

[x + y = 6 and y = 2x, 3x = 6, x = 2, y = 4, (2, 4), 2x + y = 6 and y = 2x,
4x = 6, x = 3/2, y = 3, (3/2, 3), x + y = 6 and 2x + y = 6, x = 0, y = 6, (0, 6)]

Find values of the constants a and b given that the polynomial

1. f(x) = ax3 + bx2 + x - 4 is exactly divisible by (x – 1) and (x + 1).

ANSWER: a = -1, b = 4
[a + b + 1 – 4= 0, a + b = 3, -a + b – 1 - 4 = 0, -a + b = 5, 2b = 8, b = 4, a = -1]

2. f(x) = x3 + ax2 + bx – a has (x – 1) and (x + 2) as factors.

ANSWER: a = 2, b = -1
[1 + a + b – a = 0, b = -1, -8 + 4a + 2 - a = 0, 3a – 6 = 0, a = 2]

3. f(x) = 2x3 + ax2 + bx - 3 is divisible by (x - 1) and (x + 1).

ANSWER: a = 3, b = -2
[2 + a + b – 3 = 0, a + b = 1, -2 + a – b – 3 = 0, a – b = 5, 2a = 6, a = 3, b = -2]
 1. Under a translation, the point (2, 5) maps into the point (3, 2). Find the image
of the point (-2, 3) under the same translation.

ANSWER: (-1, 0)
[u = (3, 2) – (2, 5) = (1, - 3), (-2, 3) + (1, -3) = (-1, 0)]

2. A binary operation is defined on the set of real numbers excluding -1 by

a ∗ b = a + b + ab. Find the identity e.
ANSWER: e = 0
[a ∗ e = a, a + e + ae = a, e(1 + a) = 0, e = 0 since a ≠ -1]

3. State the converse of the statement ‘a regular polygon is equilateral’ and

determine if the converse is true or not.

ANSWER: ‘An equilateral polygon is regular’. Converse is false.

Find the gradient dy/dx from the implicit equatio

1. x3 – x2y + y3 = 7

ANSWER: dy/dx = (3x2 – 2xy)/(x2 – 3y2)

[3x2 – 2xy – x2dy/dx + 3y2dy/dx = 0, (dy/dx)(x2 – 3y2) = 3x2 – 2xy,
dy/dx = (3x2 – 2xy)/(x2 – 3y2)]

2. 2x3 + x2y – 2y3 = 15

ANSWER: dy/dx = (6x2 + 2xy)/(6y2 – x2)

[6x2 + 2xy + x2(dy/dx) – 6y2(dy/dx) = 0, (dy/dx)(6y2 – x2) = (6x2 + 2xy),
dy/dx = (6x2 + 2xy)/(6y2 – x2)]

3. 3x3 - 2x2y + y3 = 20

ANSWER: dy/dx = (9x2 – 4xy)/(2x2 – 3y2)

[9x2 – 4xy – 2x2(dy/dx) + 3y2 (dy/dx) = 0, (dy/dx)(2x2 – 3y2) = 9x2 – 4xy

dy/dx = (9x2 – 4xy)/(2x2 – 3y2)]

Given that cosA = -1/√2 and A is obtuse, and sinB = √3/2 and B is acute, evaluate

1. sin(A – B)

ANSWER: (1 + √3)/2√2, or (1 + √3)√2/4, or (√2 + √6)/4

[sin(A - B) = sinAcosB - cosAsinB = (1/√2)(1/2) - (-1/√2)(√3/2) =
(1 + √3)/2√2]

2. cos(A + B)

ANSWER: -(1 + √3)/2√2, or -(1 + √3)√2/4, or -(√2 + √6)/4

[cos(A + B) = cosAcosB – sinAsinB = (-1/√2)(1/2) – (1/√2)(√3/2) =
(-1 - √3)/2√2]

3. sin(A + B)

ANSWER: (1 - √3)/2√2, or (1 - √3)√2/4, or (√2 - √6)/4

[sin(A + B) = sinAcosB + cosAsinB = (1/√2)(1/2) + (-1/√2)(√3)/2 =
(1 - √3)/2√2]

A bag contains 8 white balls, 7 black balls and 5 red balls. Three balls are drawn at
random one after the other from the bag without replacement. Find the
probability

1. two balls are red and one black,

ANSWER: 7/114
[A = {RRB, RBR, BRR}, P(A) = (5/20)(4/19)(7/18) + (5/20)(7/19)(4/18) +
(7/20)(5/19)(4/18) = 3(7)/(19)(18) = 7/19(6) = 7/114]

2. two balls are white and one red,

ANSWER: 7/57
[C = {WWR, WRW, RWW},P(C) = (8/20)(7/19)(5/18)+(8/20)(5/19)(7/18) +
(5/20)(8/19)(7/18) = 3(2)(7)/(19)(18) = 7/19(3) = 7/57]

3. two balls are black and one white.

ANSWER: 14/95
[ D = {BBW, BWB, WBB}, P(D) = (7/20)(6/19)(8/18) + (7/20)(8/19)(6/18) +
(8/20)(7/19)(6/18) = 3(7/5)(2/9)(6/19) = 14/95]

1. Find the stationary point of y = (2x + 1)/(x – 2)

ANSWER: NO STATIONARY POINT

[dy/dx = (2(x – 2) – 1(2x + 1))/(x – 2)2 = -5/(x – 2)2 ≠ 0, no stationary point]

2. The 5th term of an exponential sequence is 80 and the 8th term is 640. Find the
general term Un.

ANSWER: Un = 5(2n – 1)
[ar4 = 80, ar7 = 640, r3 = 640/80 = 8, r = 2, a = 5, Un = arn – 1 = 5(2n – 1)]

3. Two angles of a cyclic quadrilateral measure 53° and 115° respectively. Find the
measures of the 2 remaining angles.
ANSWER: 127°, 65°
[supplement of 53° is 127°, supplement of 115° is 65°, hence 127°, 65°]

Find the values of the constants a and b such that the quadratic inequality has the
given solution set.

1. ax2 + bx + 2 > 0 has solution set {x: - 1 < x < 2}

ANSWER: a = -1, b = 1
[(x + 1)(x - 2) = x2 – x – 2 < 0, -x2 + x + 2 > 0, a = -1, b = 1]

2. ax2 + bx + 6 < 0 has solution set {x: x < -3, or x > 2}

ANSWER: a = -1, b = -1
[(x + 3)(x – 2) = x2 + x – 6 > 0, -x2 – x + 6 < 0, a = -1, b = -1]

3. ax2 + bx + 2 > 0 has solution set {x: -1/2 < x < 2}

ANSWER: a = -2, b = 3
[(2x + 1)(x – 2) = 2x2 – 3x – 2 < 0, -2x2 + 3x + 2 > 0, a = -2, b = 3]

Find the common ratio r of an exponential sequence whose first three terms are
given by

1. …(x + 3), (x – 1), (x – 3)

ANSWER: r = 1/2

[(x – 1)2 = (x + 3)(x – 3), x2 – 2x + 1 = x2 – 9, 2x = 10, x = 5,

r = (x – 1)/(x + 3) = (5 – 1)/(5 + 3) = 4/8 = ½ ]

2. (x – 2), (x + 1), (x + 3)

ANSWER: r = 2/3
[(x + 1)2 = (x - 2)(x + 3), x2 + 2x + 1 = x2 + x – 6, x = -7,
r = (x + 1)/(x – 2) = (-7 + 1)/(-7 – 2) = -6/-9 = 2/3]

3. (x + 1), (x + 3), (x + 4)

ANSWER: r = 1/2
[(x + 3)2 = (x + 1)(x + 4), x2 + 6x + 9 = x2 + 5x+ 4, x = 4 – 9 = -5,
r = (x + 3)/(x + 1) = (-5 + 3)/(-5 + 1) = -2/-4 = 1/2]
Find the amount invested at each rate of interest if a man invests
1. GHs60,000 partly at 9% and the remainder at 6% and receives a total
interest of GHs4,800 at the end of the year,
ANSWER: GHs40,000 at 9%, GHs20,000 at 6%
[0.09x + (60,000 - x)(0.06) = 4,800, 9x + (60,000 – x)6 = 480,000
3x = 480,000 – 360,000 = 120,000, x = 40,000, 60,000 – 40,000 = 20,000]
2. GHs100,000 partly at10% and the remainder at 15% and receives a total
interest of GHs11,500 at the end of the year
ANSWER: GHs 70,000 at 10%, GHs 30,000 at 15%
[0.1x + (100,000 – x)0.15 = 11500, 15000 – 0.05x = 11500, 5x = 350,000,
x = 70,000, 100,000 – 70,000 = 30,000]
3. GHs40,000 partly at 12% and the remainder at 8% and receives a total
interest of GHs4,000 at the end of the year.
ANSWER: GHs20,000 at 12%, GHs20,000 at 8%
[ 0.12x + 0.08(40,000 – x) = 4000, 12x + 8(40,000 – x) = 400,000
4x = 80,000, x = 20,000, 40,000 – 20,000 = 20,000]

1. If a = (x + 1)/(2x – 1), express (2a + 1)/(a – 1) in terms of x.

ANSWER: (4x + 1)/(2 – x)

[(2(x + 1) + (2x – 1))/((x + 1) – (2x – 1)) = (4x + 1)/(2 – x)]

2. Find a relation between x and y given that 2logx – 3logy = 1

ANSWER: x2/y3 = 10, or x2 = 10y3, or y3 = x2/10

[log(x2/y3) = log10, x2/y3 = 10, or x2 = 10y3 or y3 = x2/10]

3. Find the domain of the function y = √(3 - x).

ANSWER: {x: x ≤ 3}
[function defined for (3 – x) ≥ 0, 3 ≥ x, or x ≤ 3]