NCE Mathematics
Past Questions
33+ verified Mathematics past questions for NCE. Step-by-step worked answers in 5 Nigerian languages.
Mathematics topics (2)
Sample Mathematics past questions
1. Solve: 3x + 2 = 11.
- A. 1
- B. 2
- C. 3
- D. 5
Answer: C
2. 20% of 500.
- A. 50
- B. 100
- C. 150
- D. 200
Answer: B
3. Mean of 4, 6, 8, 10.
- A. 5
- B. 6
- C. 7
- D. 8
Answer: C
4. The sum of angles in a triangle is:
- A. 90°
- B. 180°
- C. 270°
- D. 360°
Answer: B
AI Explanation
**The reasoning** This is a **fundamental property of Euclidean geometry** — one of the bedrock rules you must memorize. Every triangle, no matter its shape (scalene, isosceles, equilateral, right-angled), has interior angles that add up to exactly **180°**. Think of it practically: If you have a right-angled triangle with one 90° angle and another 60° angle, the third must be 30° because 90° + 60° + 30° = 180°. Or picture an equilateral triangle — three equal angles, so each is 180° ÷ 3 = 60°. **Why the wrong options tempt you** - **90°** — You might confuse this with a *right angle* (one angle in a right triangle), not the sum of all three. - **270°** — Some students mistakenly add an extra angle or think of supplementary relationships. - **360°** — This is the sum of angles in a *quadrilateral* (four-sided shape), not a triangle. Easy mix-up! **Quick takeaway** **Triangle = 180°, Quadrilateral = 360°** — the number of sides increases, so does the angle sum. Lock this in!
5. 15% of 200 equals:
- A. 15
- B. 20
- C. 30
- D. 45
Answer: C
6. Simplify 2/3 + 1/6.
- A. 1/2
- B. 5/6
- C. 3/9
- D. 1
Answer: B
7. Round 3.567 to 2 decimal places.
- A. 3.56
- B. 3.57
- C. 3.5
- D. 3.6
Answer: B
8. The area of a circle radius 7 (π=22/7) is:
- A. 154
- B. 44
- C. 22
- D. 49
Answer: A
9. A pie chart total represents:
- A. 50%
- B. 100%
- C. 180%
- D. 360 only
Answer: B
10. The HCF of 12 and 18 is:
- A. 3
- B. 6
- C. 9
- D. 36
Answer: B
11. Convert 3/5 to a decimal.
- A. 0.35
- B. 0.6
- C. 0.53
- D. 0.65
Answer: B
12. If a class has 40 students and 25% are absent, how many present?
- A. 10
- B. 30
- C. 25
- D. 35
Answer: B
13. Solve: 5x − 3 = 12
- A. x = 2
- B. x = 3
- C. x = 4
- D. x = 5
Answer: B
AI Explanation
5x = 15 → x = 3.
14. What is 50% of 240?
- A. 100
- B. 120
- C. 140
- D. 160
Answer: B
AI Explanation
240 × 0.5 = 120.
15. Find the next term: 2, 4, 8, 16, ___
- A. 18
- B. 20
- C. 24
- D. 32
Answer: D
AI Explanation
Each term doubles. 16 × 2 = 32.
16. Area of a square with side 9 cm:
- A. 18 cm²
- B. 27 cm²
- C. 36 cm²
- D. 81 cm²
Answer: D
AI Explanation
Area = side² = 9² = 81 cm².
17. Mean of 6, 9, 12, 15:
- A. 9
- B. 10.5
- C. 11
- D. 12
Answer: B
AI Explanation
(6+9+12+15)/4 = 42/4 = 10.5.
18. Solve: x + 11 = 20
- A. 7
- B. 8
- C. 9
- D. 10
Answer: C
AI Explanation
x = 20 − 11 = 9.
19. What is 0.6 as a fraction?
- A. 6/10 or 3/5
- B. 1/6
- C. 6/100
- D. 5/6
Answer: A
AI Explanation
0.6 = 6/10 = 3/5 (in lowest terms).
20. Median of 7, 11, 14, 18, 21:
- A. 11
- B. 14
- C. 16
- D. 18
Answer: B
AI Explanation
Middle value when sorted (5 values) = 3rd = 14.
21. Solve: 3(x + 4) = 21
- A. x = 1
- B. x = 2
- C. x = 3
- D. x = 4
Answer: C
AI Explanation
3x + 12 = 21 → 3x = 9 → x = 3.
22. Slope of line through (0, 0) and (2, 6):
- A. 1
- B. 2
- C. 3
- D. 4
Answer: C
AI Explanation
Slope = (6−0)/(2−0) = 3.
23. If 6 books cost ₦1,200, the cost of 1 book is:
- A. ₦150
- B. ₦175
- C. ₦200
- D. ₦225
Answer: C
AI Explanation
₦1,200 ÷ 6 = ₦200.
24. Sum of angles in a quadrilateral:
- A. 180°
- B. 270°
- C. 360°
- D. 540°
Answer: C
AI Explanation
Quadrilateral = 4 sides. Sum = (4−2) × 180° = 360°.
25. Probability of drawing an ace from a 52-card deck:
- A. 1/52
- B. 4/52
- C. 1/13
- D. Both B and C
Answer: D
AI Explanation
4 aces in 52 cards = 4/52 = 1/13.
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