JAMB Math Practice Questions

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1. Number Bases (JAMB 2019, Q13)

Convert \( 321_4 \) to base 10.

A. 49

B. 57

C. 55

D. 59

Answer: B) 57

Explanation:

\( 321_4 = 3 \times 4^2 + 2 \times 4^1 + 1 \times 4^0 \)

\( = 3 \times 16 + 2 \times 4 + 1 \times 1 \)

\( = 48 + 8 + 1 = 57 \).

2. Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages (JAMB 2021, Q8)

Express \( 0.375 \) as a fraction in its simplest form.

A. \( \frac{3}{8} \)

B. \( \frac{3}{5} \)

C. \( \frac{5}{8} \)

D. \( \frac{3}{10} \)

Answer: A) \( \frac{3}{8} \)

Explanation:

\( 0.375 = \frac{375}{1000} \).

Simplify by dividing numerator and denominator by 125:

\( \frac{375 \div 125}{1000 \div 125} = \frac{3}{8} \).

3. Indices and Logarithms (JAMB 2020, Q21)

If \( 27^x = 9 \), find \( x \).

A. \( \frac{2}{3} \)

B. \( \frac{3}{2} \)

C. 2

D. \( \frac{1}{2} \)

Answer: A) \( \frac{2}{3} \)

Explanation:

Rewrite \( 27 \) and \( 9 \) as powers of 3:

\( 27^x = 9 \) ⇒ \( (3^3)^x = 3^2 \) ⇒ \( 3^{3x} = 3^2 \).

Equate the exponents: \( 3x = 2 \) ⇒ \( x = \frac{2}{3} \).

4. Sets (JAMB 2018, Q15)

If \( A = \{2, 3, 4, 5\} \) and \( B = \{4, 5, 6, 7\} \), find \( A \cap B \).

A. \( \{6, 7\} \)

B. \( \{2, 3, 6, 7\} \)

C. \( \{4, 5\} \)

D. \( \{2, 3\} \)

Answer: C) \( \{4, 5\} \)

Explanation:

The intersection \( A \cap B \) contains elements common to both sets: \( \{4, 5\} \).

5. Polynomials (JAMB 2017, Q22)

Factorize \( x^2 - 9x + 20 \).

A. \( (x - 5)(x - 4) \)

B. \( (x + 5)(x + 4) \)

C. \( (x - 5)(x + 4) \)

D. \( (x + 5)(x - 4) \)

Answer: A) \( (x - 5)(x - 4) \)

Explanation:

\( x^2 - 9x + 20 = (x - 5)(x - 4) \), since \( -5 \) and \( -4 \) multiply to 20 and add to \( -9 \).