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WAEC WASSCE Algebra Questions
Practise algebra (mathematics) for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination: 10 multiple-choice questions, each with the correct answer and a worked explanation. Click an option to check it, or “New questions” for another set.
Algebra practice
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Q1.Solve: x² + 7x − 18 = 0
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A — -9, 2
Find two roots with sum -7 and product -18: -9 and 2. So x² + 7x − 18 = (x + 9)(x − 2) = 0.
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Q2.Solve: 5x + 2y = 31 and x + 2y = 3
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Answer: B — x = 7, y = -2
Elimination/substitution gives x = 7, y = -2. Check: 5(7) + 2(-2) = 31 ✓ and 1(7) + 2(-2) = 3 ✓.
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Q3.Solve: 4x + 2y = -2 and 4x + 3y = -5
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Answer: A — x = 1, y = -3
Elimination/substitution gives x = 1, y = -3. Check: 4(1) + 2(-3) = -2 ✓ and 4(1) + 3(-3) = -5 ✓.
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Q4.Find log₃ 243.
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Answer: D — 5
log_3(243) asks “3 to what power gives 243?” → 3^5 = 243, so the answer is 5.
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Q5.Solve: 3x + 2y = 24 and 4x + 3y = 35
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Answer: B — x = 2, y = 9
Elimination/substitution gives x = 2, y = 9. Check: 3(2) + 2(9) = 24 ✓ and 4(2) + 3(9) = 35 ✓.
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Q6.Find the sum of the first 10 terms of the AP 8, 15, 22, …
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Answer: B — 395
Sₙ = n/2 × [2a + (n − 1)d] = 10/2 × [16 + 63] = 395.
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Q7.Solve: 4x + 3y = 1 and 2x + 3y = 11
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C — x = -5, y = 7
Elimination/substitution gives x = -5, y = 7. Check: 4(-5) + 3(7) = 1 ✓ and 2(-5) + 3(7) = 11 ✓.
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Q8.Solve: 3x + 5y = 35 and 2x + y = 21
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A — x = 10, y = 1
Elimination/substitution gives x = 10, y = 1. Check: 3(10) + 5(1) = 35 ✓ and 2(10) + 1(1) = 21 ✓.
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Q9.Solve: x² + 8x + 16 = 0
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A — -4, -4
Find two roots with sum -8 and product 16: -4 and -4. So x² + 8x + 16 = (x + 4)(x + 4) = 0.
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Q10.Find log₃ 27.
Show answer & explanation
Answer: D — 3
log_3(27) asks “3 to what power gives 27?” → 3^3 = 27, so the answer is 3.
How to approach algebra questions
Factorise quadratics by finding two numbers with the right sum and product; check roots by substitution. For simultaneous equations, elimination is usually faster than substitution under time pressure.
About WAEC WASSCE
West African Senior School Certificate Examination — conducted by West African Examinations Council (WAEC). Senior school certificate exam taken in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia and The Gambia.
Original practice questions written for this site in the style and difficulty of each exam’s syllabus. They are not past papers and the site is not affiliated with any exam body. Exam patterns, marking schemes and syllabi change — always check the latest official notification.
WAEC WASSCE practice topics
| Topic | Section | Question source |
|---|---|---|
| English Grammar | English | Question bank |
| Algebra | Mathematics | Calculated (new numbers every set) |
| Biology | Science | Question bank |
| Chemistry | Science | Calculated + question bank |