NABTEB Mathematics
Past Questions
20+ verified Mathematics past questions for NABTEB. Step-by-step worked answers in 5 Nigerian languages.
Mathematics topics (3)
Sample Mathematics past questions
1. 20% of 250.
- A. 20
- B. 30
- C. 40
- D. 50
Answer: D
2. Area of rectangle 8 × 5.
- A. 13
- B. 26
- C. 40
- D. 80
Answer: C
AI Explanation
## The reasoning The **formula for the area of a rectangle** is: **Area = length × width** Here, length = 8 and width = 5. So: Area = 8 × 5 = **40 square units** That's it! Area measures how much space is *inside* the rectangle — like counting how many 1×1 tiles would cover the floor. When you have 8 rows with 5 tiles each, you get 8 × 5 = 40 tiles total. ## Why the wrong options tempt you **A) 13** — This is 8 + 5. You've calculated the *sum* instead of multiplying. That's like counting just the edges, not the space inside. **B) 26** — This is the *perimeter*: 2(8 + 5) = 26. You've gone around the rectangle's border, not filled it. **D) 80** — This is 8 × 10 or maybe you accidentally doubled. Simple calculation slip. ## Quick takeaway **Area = multiply the sides; Perimeter = add them and double.** For rectangles, always *multiply* length by width to find the space inside!
3. 30% of 90 is:
- A. 18
- B. 27
- C. 30
- D. 33
Answer: B
4. The area of a triangle base 6 height 4 is:
- A. 10
- B. 12
- C. 24
- D. 20
Answer: B
5. Solve 3x = 21.
- A. 6
- B. 7
- C. 8
- D. 9
Answer: B
AI Explanation
**The reasoning** To solve **3x = 21**, we need to isolate x (get x alone on one side). Since x is being *multiplied* by 3, we do the opposite operation — we *divide* both sides by 3: 3x ÷ 3 = 21 ÷ 3 x = 7 **Why the wrong options tempt you** - **Option A (6)**: You might subtract 3 from 21 instead of dividing. That's mixing up operations — we divide to undo multiplication, not subtract. - **Option C (8)**: Perhaps you added instead: 21 + 3 = 24, then divided somehow. Wrong approach entirely. - **Option D (9)**: Maybe you divided 21 by something else, or guessed. Always follow the proper steps! **Quick takeaway** To solve equations, do the *opposite* operation: multiplication undoes with division, addition undoes with subtraction — always work to isolate your variable!
6. Find the simple interest on ₦1000 at 10% for 2 years.
- A. ₦100
- B. ₦200
- C. ₦300
- D. ₦1200
Answer: B
7. Convert 1/2 to percentage.
- A. 5%
- B. 25%
- C. 50%
- D. 75%
Answer: C
8. What is 9 × 6?
- A. 45
- B. 48
- C. 54
- D. 63
Answer: C
AI Explanation
9 × 6 = 54.
9. Solve: x − 5 = 12
- A. 7
- B. 10
- C. 17
- D. 20
Answer: C
AI Explanation
x = 12 + 5 = 17.
10. What is 20% of 150?
- A. 20
- B. 25
- C. 30
- D. 35
Answer: C
AI Explanation
0.20 × 150 = 30.
11. Area of a triangle with base 10 cm and height 6 cm:
- A. 15 cm²
- B. 30 cm²
- C. 45 cm²
- D. 60 cm²
Answer: B
AI Explanation
Area = ½ × b × h = ½ × 10 × 6 = 30 cm².
12. What is 3/4 + 1/4?
- A. 1/2
- B. 1
- C. 1/4
- D. 3/8
Answer: B
AI Explanation
3/4 + 1/4 = 4/4 = 1.
13. If 4x = 24, what is x?
- A. 4
- B. 5
- C. 6
- D. 8
Answer: C
AI Explanation
x = 24 ÷ 4 = 6.
14. Mean of 5, 10, 15:
- A. 5
- B. 10
- C. 15
- D. 30
Answer: B
AI Explanation
(5 + 10 + 15) ÷ 3 = 30 ÷ 3 = 10.
15. Convert 0.50 to a fraction:
- A. 1/4
- B. 1/2
- C. 1/5
- D. 5/10
Answer: B
AI Explanation
0.50 = 50/100 = 1/2.
16. Perimeter of a rectangle 7 cm by 4 cm:
- A. 11 cm
- B. 22 cm
- C. 28 cm
- D. 44 cm
Answer: B
AI Explanation
Perimeter = 2(l + w) = 2(7 + 4) = 22 cm.
17. Square root of 81:
- A. 7
- B. 8
- C. 9
- D. 11
Answer: C
AI Explanation
9 × 9 = 81.
18. How many cm in 1 metre?
- A. 10
- B. 100
- C. 1,000
- D. 10,000
Answer: B
AI Explanation
1 m = 100 cm.
19. If a worker earns ₦500 per hour, how much in 8 hours?
- A. ₦2,500
- B. ₦3,000
- C. ₦3,500
- D. ₦4,000
Answer: D
AI Explanation
500 × 8 = ₦4,000.
20. What is 12 ÷ 4 × 3?
- A. 3
- B. 6
- C. 9
- D. 12
Answer: C
AI Explanation
Left to right: 12÷4 = 3; 3×3 = 9.
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