JAMB and WAEC Mathematics questions: Polynomials

57 questions with answers and explanations. Tap an option to check yourself.

1. Question 1· Polynomials· WAEC

   If (x + 3) is a factor of x² + kx − 6, find k.

   • A−5
   • B−1
   • C3
   • D1

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   Explanation and discussion

2. Question 2· Polynomials· JAMB

   Solve x/2 − (x − 1)/3 = 1.

   • A2
   • B4
   • C6
   • D8

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   Explanation and discussion

3. Question 3· Polynomials· JAMB

   x = 2 is a root of x³ − 4x² + kx − 2 = 0. Find k.

   • A−5
   • B5
   • C3
   • D10

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4. Question 4· Polynomials· WAEC

   Solve simultaneously: 2x + 3y = 13 and x − y = −1.

   • Ax = 3, y = 2
   • Bx = 2, y = 3
   • Cx = 1, y = 2
   • Dx = 4, y = 5

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5. Question 5· Polynomials· JAMB

   Simplify 1/(x − 1) − 1/(x + 1).

   • A0
   • B2x/(x² − 1)
   • C2/(x² − 1)
   • D−2/(x² − 1)

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6. Question 6· Polynomials· JAMB

   When x³ − 2x² + kx − 6 is divided by (x − 2), the remainder is 4. Find k.

   • A4
   • B−5
   • C5
   • D3

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7. Question 7· Polynomials· JAMB

   For what value of k does x² − 4x + k = 0 have equal roots?

   • A16
   • B−4
   • C4
   • D2

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8. Question 8· Polynomials· WAEC

   Factorise x² + 9x + 14.

   • A(x − 2)(x − 7)
   • B(x + 1)(x + 14)
   • C(x + 2)(x + 7)
   • D(x + 3)(x + 6)

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9. Question 9· Polynomials· WAEC

   Simplify (x² − 9)/(x + 3).

   • Ax² − 3
   • Bx + 3
   • Cx − 3
   • Dx − 9

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   Explanation and discussion

10. Question 10· Polynomials· JAMB

    α and β are the roots of x² − 5x + 6 = 0. Find α² + β².

    • A13
    • B25
    • C37
    • D1

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11. Question 11· Polynomials· JAMB

    For what values of x is (x² − 1)/(x² − 3x + 2) undefined?

    • Ax = −1 or x = 1
    • Bx = 1 or x = 2
    • Cx = 2 only
    • Dx = −1 or x = −2

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12. Question 12· Polynomials· JAMB

    Find the quadratic equation whose roots are 2 and −3.

    • Ax² − x + 6 = 0
    • Bx² − x − 6 = 0
    • Cx² + 5x − 6 = 0
    • Dx² + x − 6 = 0

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13. Question 13· Polynomials· JAMB

    Solve the simultaneous equations x + y = 7 and x − y = 1.

    • Ax = 5, y = 2
    • Bx = 3, y = 4
    • Cx = 4, y = 3
    • Dx = 6, y = 1

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14. Question 14· Polynomials· WAEC

    Factorise x² − 5x + 6.

    • A(x + 1)(x − 6)
    • B(x + 2)(x + 3)
    • C(x − 1)(x − 6)
    • D(x − 2)(x − 3)

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15. Question 15· Polynomials· WAEC

    Solve simultaneously: 2x + y = 11 and x − y = 4.

    • Ax = 4, y = 3
    • Bx = 1, y = 5
    • Cx = 5, y = 1
    • Dx = 3, y = 5

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16. Question 16· Polynomials· JAMB

    Expand (x + 3)(x − 5).

    • Ax² − 2x − 15
    • Bx² + 2x − 15
    • Cx² − 8x − 15
    • Dx² − 2x + 15

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17. Question 17· Polynomials· JAMB

    Expand (2x − 3)².

    • A4x² + 9
    • B4x² − 12x + 9
    • C4x² − 6x + 9
    • D2x² − 12x + 9

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18. Question 18· Polynomials· WAEC

    The sum of the roots of 3x² − 6x + 2 = 0 is

    • A2/3
    • B−2
    • C2
    • D6

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19. Question 19· Polynomials· JAMB

    The sum of two numbers is 17 and their difference is 5. What is their product?

    • A85
    • B60
    • C72
    • D66

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20. Question 20· Polynomials· WAEC

    Make r the subject of the formula A = πr².

    • Ar = √(A/π)
    • Br = A/π
    • Cr = √(Aπ)
    • Dr = (A/π)²

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    Explanation and discussion