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GENERAL MATHEMATICS/MATHEMATICS (CORE)

1. AIMS OF THE SYLLABUS

The aims of the syllabus are to test candidates’:

(1) mathematical competency and computational skills;

(2) understanding of mathematical concepts and their relationship to the
acquisition of entrepreneurial skills for everyday living in the global world;
(3) ability to translate problems into mathematical language and solve them
using appropriate methods;
(4) ability to be accurate to a degree relevant to the problem at hand;
(5) logical, abstract and precise thinking.

This syllabus is not intended to be used as a teaching syllabus. Teachers are advised to
use their own National teaching syllabuses or curricular for that purpose.

1. EXAMINATION SCHEME

There will be two papers, Papers 1 and 2, both of which must be taken.

PAPER 1: will consist of fifty multiple-choice objective questions, drawn from the common
areas of the syllabus, to be answered in 1½ hours for 50 marks.

PAPER 2: will consist of thirteen essay questions in two sections – Sections A and B, to be
answered in 2½ hours for 100 marks. Candidates will be required to answer ten
questions in all.

Section A - Will consist of five compulsory questions, elementary in nature carrying a

total of 40 marks. The questions will be drawn from the common areas of
the syllabus.

Section B - will consist of eight questions of greater length and difficulty. The
questions shall include a maximum of two which shall be drawn from
parts of the syllabuses which may not be peculiar to candidates’ home
countries. Candidates will be expected to answer five questions for
60marks.
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2. DETAILED SYLLABUS

The topics, contents and notes are intended to indicate the scope of the questions which
will be set. The notes are not to be considered as an exhaustive list of
illustrations/limitations.

TOPICS CONTENTS NOTES

A. NUMBER AND
NUMERATION

( a ) Number bases ( i ) conversion of numbers from Conversion from one base

one base to another to base 10 and vice versa.
Conversion from one base to
another base .

( ii ) Basic operations on number Addition, subtraction and

bases multiplication of number
bases.

(b) Modular Arithmetic (i) Concept of Modulo Interpretation of modulo

Arithmetic. arithmetic e.g.
6 + 4 = k(mod7), 3
x 5 = b(mod6), m
(ii) Addition, subtraction and = 2(mod 3), etc.
multiplication operations in
modulo arithmetic.
Relate to market days,
(iii) Application to daily life clock,shift duty, etc.

( c ) Fractions, Decimals and (i) Basic operations on fractions

Approximations and decimals. (ii)
Approximations and Approximations should be
significant figures. realistic e.g. a road is not
measured correct to the
nearest cm.
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( d ) Indices ( i ) Laws of indices e.g. ax x ay = ax + y , ax÷ay =

ax – y, (ax)y = axy, etc where x,
y are real numbers and a ≠0.
Include simple examples of

negative and fractional indices.

Expression of large and small

( ii ) Numbers in standard form numbers in standard form
( scientific notation) e.g. 375300000 = 3.753 x 108
0.00000035 = 3.5 x 10-7 Use
of tables of squares, square
roots and reciprocals is
accepted.

( e) Logarithms ( i ) Relationship between indices

and logarithms e.g. y =
10k implies log10y = k. Calculations involving
( ii ) Basic rules of logarithms e.g. multiplication, division, powers
log10(pq) = log10p + log10q and roots.
log10(p/q) = log10p – log10q
log10pn = nlog10p.
(iii) Use of tables of logarithms
and antilogarithms.

( f ) Sequence and Series (i) Patterns of sequences. Determine any term of a given
sequence. The notation Un =
the nth termof a sequence
may be used.

(ii) Arithmetic progression (A.P.) Simple cases only, including

Geometric Progression (G.P.) word problems. (Include sum
for A.P. and exclude sum for
G.P).
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( g ) Sets (i) Idea of sets, universal Notations: ℰ, ⊂, ∪, ∩, { }, ∅,

sets, finite and infinite sets, P’( the compliment of P).
subsets, empty sets and
disjoint sets. ♦• properties e.g.
Idea of and notation for union, commutative, associative and
intersection and complement of distributive
sets.

(ii) Solution of practical Use of Venn diagrams

problems involving restricted to at most 3 sets.
classification using Venn
diagrams.
( h ) Logical Reasoning Simple statements. True and false Use of symbols: ⟹, ⇐, use of
statements. Negation of Venn diagrams.
statements, implications.
(i) Positive and negative The four basic operations on Match rational numbers with
integers, rational numbers rational numbers. points on the number line.

Notation: Natural numbers

(N), Integers ( Z ), Rational
numbers ( Q ).

( j ) Surds (Radicals) Simplification and rationalization

Surds of the form
of simple surds.
and a ±√ where a is a
rational number and b is a
positive integer.
Basic operations on surds
(exclude surd of the form
).

( i ) Identification of order, Not more than 3 x 3 matrices.

•∗ ( k ) Matrices and notation and types of Idea of columns and rows.
Determinants matrices.

( ii ) Addition, subtraction, Restrict to 2 x 2 matrices.

scalar multiplication and
multiplication of
matrices.

( iii ) Determinant of a matrix

Application to solving
simultaneous linear equations
in two variables. Restrict to 2
x 2 matrices.
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( l ) Ratio, Proportions and Ratio between two similar

Rates quantities.
Proportion between two or more Relate to real life situations.
similar quantities.

Financial partnerships, rates of Include average rates, taxes

work, costs, taxes, foreign
e.g. VAT, Withholding tax, etc
exchange, density (e.g.
population), mass, distance, time
and speed.

( m ) Percentages Simple interest, commission, Limit compound interest to a

discount, depreciation, profit and maximum of 3 years.
loss, compound interest, hire
purchase and percentage error.

∗( n) Financial Arithmetic ( i ) Depreciation/ Amortization. Definition/meaning,

calculation of depreciation on
fixed assets, computation of
amortization on capitalized
assets.

( ii ) Annuities Definition/meaning, solve

simple problems on annuities.

(iii ) Capital Market Instruments Shares/stocks, debentures,

bonds, simple problems on
interest on bonds and
debentures.

( o ) Variation Direct, inverse, partial and joint Expression of various types of

variations. variation in mathematical
symbols e.g. direct (z n ),
inverse (z ), etc.
Application to simple practical
problems.
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B. ALGEBRAIC PROCESSES

( a ) Algebraic expressions (i) Formulating algebraic e.g. find an expression for the
expressions from given cost C Naira of 4 pens at x
situations Naira each and 3 oranges at y
naira each.
Solution: C = 4x + 3y

( ii ) Evaluation of algebraic e.g. If x =60 and y = 20, find

expressions C.
C = 4(60) + 3(20) = 300
naira.

( b ) Simple operations on ( i ) Expansion e.g. (a +b)(c + d), (a

algebraic expressions + 3)(c - 4), etc.

(ii ) Factorization factorization of expressions of

the form ax + ay,
a(b + c) + d(b + c), a2 – b2,
ax2 + bx + c where a, b, c
are integers.
Application of difference of
two squares e.g. 492 – 472 =
(49 + 47)(49 – 47) = 96 x 2 =
192.

Carry out binary operations

♦•♣♠ (iii) Binary Operations on real numbers such as: a*b
= 2a + b – ab, etc.

( c ) Solution of Linear ( i ) Linear equations in one Solving/finding the truth set

Equations variable (solution set) for linear

equations in one variable.

( ii ) Simultaneous linear Solving/finding the truth set of

equations in two variables. simultaneous equations in two
variables by elimination,
substitution and graphical
methods. Word problems
involving one or two variables
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( d ) Change of Subject of a ( i ) Change of subject of a e.g. if = + , find v. Finding

Formula/Relation formula/relation (ii) the value of a variable e.g.
Substitution. evaluating v given the
values of u and f.

( e ) Quadratic Equations ( i ) Solution of quadratic Using factorization i.e. ab = 0

equations ⇒ either a = 0 or b = 0.
•∗♣♠By completing the square
and use of formula
(ii) Forming quadratic
equation with given roots. Simple rational roots only e.g.
forming a quadratic equation
whose roots are -3 and ⇒ (x +
(iii) Application of solution of 3)(x - ) = 0.
quadratic equation in practical
problems.

(f) Graphs of Linear and (i) Interpretation of graphs, Finding:

Quadratic functions. coordinate of points, table of (i) the coordinates of
values, drawing quadratic maximum and minimum
graphs and obtaining roots points on the graph. (ii)
from graphs. intercepts on the axes,
identifying axis of symmetry,
recognizing sketched graphs.

( ii ) Graphical solution of a pair Use of quadratic graphs to

of equations of the form: y = solve related equations e.g.
ax2 + bx + c and y = mx + k graph of y = x2 + 5x + 6 to
solve x2 + 5x + 4 = 0.
∗♣♠(iii) Drawing tangents to Determining the gradient by
curves to determine the gradient drawing relevant triangle.
at a given point.

( g ) Linear Inequalities (i) Solution of linear inequalities Truth set is also required.
in one variable and Simple practical problems
representation on the number
line.
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∗(ii) Graphical solution of linear

inequalities in two variables.

∗(iii) Graphical solution of Maximum and minimum

simultaneous linear inequalities values. Application to real life
in two variables. situations e.g. minimum cost,
maximum profit, linear
programming, etc.

( h ) Algebraic Fractions Operations on algebraic fractions

with:
( i ) Monomial denominators Simple cases only e.g. +
= ( x≠0, y≠ 0).

( ii ) Binomial denominators Simple cases only e.g. +

= ! ! where a andb are

constants and x≠a or b.
Values for which a fraction is
undefined e.g. is not
"
defined for x = -3.
♦•♣♠(i) Functions and Types of Functions One-to-one, one-to-many,
Relations many-to-one, many-to-many.
Functions as a mapping,
determination of the rule of a
given mapping/function.

C. MENSURATION

( a ) Lengths and (i) Use of Pythagoras theorem, No formal proofs of the

Perimeters theorem and rules are
∗♣♠sine and cosine rules to required.
determine lengths and
distances.
(ii) Lengths of arcs of
circles, perimeters of sectors and
segments.
Distances along latitudes and
♦∗♣♠(iii) Longitudes and Longitudes and their
corresponding angles.
Latitudes.
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( b ) Areas ( i ) Triangles and special

quadrilaterals – rectangles, Areas of similar figures.
parallelograms and Include area of triangle = ½
trapeziums base x height and ½absinC.
Areas of compound shapes.

(ii) Circles, sectors and Relationship between the

segments of circles. sector of a circle and the
surface area of a cone.

(iii) Surface areas of cubes,

cuboids, cylinder, pyramids,
righttriangular prisms, cones
andspheres.

( c ) Volumes (i) Volumes of cubes, cuboids,

cylinders, cones, right pyramids
and spheres. Include volumes of compound
shapes.
( ii ) Volumes of similar solids

D. PLANE GEOMETRY

(a) Angles (i) Angles at a point add up The degree as a unit of

to 360o. measure.
(ii) Adjacent angles on a Consider acute, obtuse, reflex
straight line are angles, etc.
supplementary. (iii) Vertically
opposite angles are equal.

(b) Angles and intercepts on (i) Alternate angles are equal.

parallel lines. ( ii )Corresponding angles are
equal.
( iii )Interior opposite angles are
supplementary
∗♣♠(iv) Intercept theorem. Application to proportional
division of a line segment.
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(c) Triangles and Polygons. (i) The sum of the angles of a

triangle is 2 right angles. (ii) ∗The formal proofs of those
The exterior angle of a underlined may be required.
triangle equals the sum of
the two interior opposite
angles.
(iii) Congruent triangles.
Conditions to be known but
proofs not required e.g. SSS,
SAS, etc.
( iv ) Properties of special
triangles - Isosceles, Use symmetry where
equilateral, right-angled, etc applicable.

(v) Properties of special

quadrilaterals –
parallelogram, rhombus,
square, rectangle, trapezium.

( vi )Properties of similar Equiangular properties and

triangles. ratio of sides and areas.

( vii ) The sum of the angles of a Sum of interior angles =

polygon (n - 2)180o or (2n – 4)right
angles, where n is the
number of sides

(viii) Property of exterior

angles of a polygon.

(ix) Parallelograms on the

same base and between the
same parallels are equal in
area.
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( d ) Circles (i) Chords. Angles subtended by chords

in a circle and at the centre.
Perpendicular bisectors of
chords.

(ii) The angle which an arc of

a circle subtends at the centre
of the circle is twice that ∗the formal proofs of those
which it subtends at any point underlined may be required.
on the remaining part of the
circumference.

(iii) Any angle subtended at

the circumference by a
diameter is a right angle.

(iv) Angles in the same

segment are equal.
(v) Angles in opposite
segments are
supplementary.

( vi )Perpendicularity of tangent
and radius.

(vii )If a tangent is drawn to a

circle and from the point of
contact a chord is drawn,
each angle which this chord
makes with the tangent is

equal to the angle in the

alternate segment.

( i ) Bisectors of angles and line

♦∗♣♠( e ) Construction
segments
(ii) Line parallel or perpendicular
to a given line.
( iii )Angles e.g. 90o, 60o, 45o, Include combination of these
30o, and an angle equal to a angles e.g. 75o, 105o,135o, etc.
given angle.
(iv) Triangles and quadrilaterals
from sufficient data.
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Knowledge of the loci listed below

♦∗♣♠( f ) Loci and their intersections in 2
dimensions.
(i) Points at a given distance
from a given point.
(ii) Points equidistant from two
given points.
Consider parallel and
( iii)Points equidistant from two
given straight lines. intersecting lines. Application
(iv)Points at a given distance to real life situations.
from a given straight line.
E. COORDINATE (i) Concept of the x-y plane.
GEOMETRY OF
STRAIGHT LINES (ii) Coordinates of points on Midpoint of two points,
the x-y plane. distance between two points
i.e. |PQ| =
#$ −$! +’−’!,
where P(x1,y1) and Q(x2, y2),
gradient (slope) of a line m=
( ), equation of a line
()

in the form y = mx + c and

y – y1 = m(x – x1), where m
is the gradient (slope) and c is
a constant.

F. TRIGONOMETRY

(a) Sine, Cosine and Tangent (i) Sine, Cosine and Tangent Use of right angled triangles
of an angle. of acute angles.

(ii) Use of tables of

trigonometric ratios.

(iii) Trigonometric ratios of 30o, Without the use of tables.

45o and 60o.

(iv) Sine, cosine and tangent of Relate to the unit circle.

angles from 0o to 360o. 0o≤ x ≤ 360o.

( v )Graphs of sine and cosine. e.g.y = asinx, y = bcosx

(vi)Graphs of trigonometric Graphs of simultaneous linear

ratios. and trigonometric equations.
e.g. y = asin x + bcos x, etc.
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( b ) Angles of elevation and (i) Calculating angles of Simple problems only.

depression elevation and depression.
(ii) Application to heights and
distances.

(i) Bearing of one point from Notation e.g. 035o, N35oE

♦∗♣♠( c ) Bearings
another.

(ii) Calculation of distances Simple problems only. Use of

and angles
diagram is required.∗♣♠Sine
and cosine rules may be used.

∗G. INTRODUCTORY (i) Differentiation of algebraic Concept/meaning of

CALCULUS functions. differentiation/derived
function, + , , relationship
+between gradient of a
curve at a point and the
differential coefficient of the
equation of the curve at that
point. Standard derivatives
of some basic function e.g. if
y = x 2,
+, 3
+ 4, +. =
= 2x. If s = 2t
+- +/
v = 6t , where s = distance, t
2

= time and v = velocity.

Application to real life
situation such as maximum
and minimum values, rates of
change etc.
(ii) Integration of simple
Algebraic functions.
Meaning/ concept of
integration, evaluation of
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simple definite algebraic

equations.
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H. STATISTICS AND
PROBABILITY. (i) Frequency distribution Construction of frequency
( A ) Statistics distribution tables, concept of
class intervals, class mark and
class boundary.

( ii ) Pie charts, bar charts, Reading and drawing simple

histograms and frequency inferences from graphs,
polygons interpretation of data in
histograms.
Exclude unequal class interval.
Use of an assumed mean is
(iii) Mean, median and mode
acceptable but not required.
for both discrete and grouped
For grouped data, the mode
data.
should be estimated from the
histogram while the median,
quartiles and percentiles are
estimated from the cumulative
frequency curve.

Application of the cumulative

frequency curve to every day
life.
(iv) Cumulative frequency
curve (Ogive). Definition of range, variance,
standard deviation,
interquartile range. Note that
(v) Measures of Dispersion: mean deviation is the mean of
range, semi inter- the absolute deviations from
quartile/interquartile range, the mean and variance is the
variance, mean deviation and square of the standard
standard deviation. deviation. Problems on range,
variance, standard deviation
etc.
∗♣♠Standard deviation of
grouped data

( b ) Probability (i) Experimental and Include equally likely events

theoretical probability. e.g. probability of throwing a
six with a fair die or a head
when tossing a fair coin.

(ii) Addition of probabilities for With replacement. ∗ without

♣♠
mutually exclusive and replacement.
independent events.
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(iii) Multiplication of probabilities

for independent events. Simple practical problems
only. Interpretation of “and”
and “or” in probability.
♦♣♠I. VECTORS AND
TRANSFORMATION

(a) Vectors in a Plane Vectors as a directed line (5, 060o)

segment.

Cartesian components of a vector

0.12346734558.
Magnitude of a vector, equal e.g.
vectors, addition and subtraction
of vectors, zero vector, parallel
vectors, multiplication of a vector Knowledge of graphical
by scalar. representation is necessary.

Reflection of points and shapes in

(b) Transformation in the the Cartesian Plane.
Cartesian Plane
Restrict Plane to the x and y
axes and in the lines x = k, y
= x and y = kx, where k is an
integer. Determination of
Rotation of points and shapes in mirror lines (symmetry).
the Cartesian Plane.
Rotation about the origin and
a point other than the origin.
Determination of the angle of
rotation (restrict angles of
Translation of points and shapes rotation to -180o to 180o).
in the Cartesian Plane.
Translation using a translation
Enlargement vector.

Draw the images of plane

figures under enlargement
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with a given centre for a given

scale factor.Use given scales
to enlarge or reduce plane
figures.

3. UNITS
Candidates should be familiar with the following units and their symbols.

( 1 ) Length
1000 millimetres (mm) = 100 centimetres (cm) = 1 metre(m). 1000
metres = 1 kilometre (km)

( 2 ) Area
10,000 square metres (m2) = 1 hectare (ha)
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( 3 ) Capacity
1000 cubic centimeters (cm3) = 1 litre (l)

( 4 ) Mass
1000 milligrammes (mg) = 1 gramme (g)

1000 grammes (g) = 1 kilogramme( kg ) 1000

ogrammes (kg) = 1 tonne.

( 5) Currencies
The Gambia – 100 bututs (b) = 1 Dalasi (D)

Ghana - 100 Ghana pesewas (Gp) = 1 Ghana Cedi ( GH¢)

Liberia - 100 cents (c) = 1 Liberian Dollar (LD)

Nigeria - 100 kobo (k) = 1 Naira (N)
Sierra Leone - 100 cents (c) = 1 Leone (Le)
UK - 100 pence (p) = 1 pound (£)
USA - 100 cents (c) = 1 dollar ($)
French Speaking territories: 100 centimes (c) = 1 Franc (fr)
Any other units used will be defined.

4. OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

( 1) Use of Mathematical and Statistical Tables

Mathematics and Statistical tables, published or approved by WAEC may be used
in the examination room. Where the degree of accuracy is not specified in a
question, the degree of accuracy expected will be that obtainable from the
mathematical tables.

(2) Use of calculators

The use of non-programmable, silent and cordless calculators is allowed. The
calculators must, however not have the capability to print out nor to receive
or send any information. Phones with or without calculators are not
allowed.

(3) Other Materials Required for the examination

Candidates should bring rulers, pairs of compasses, protractors, set squares etc
required for papers of the subject. They will not be allowed to borrow such
instruments and any other material from other candidates in the examination
hall.
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Graph papers ruled in 2mm squares will be provided for any paper in which it is
required.

( 4) Disclaimer
In spite of the provisions made in paragraphs 4 (1) and (2) above, it should be
noted that some questions may prohibit the use of tables and/or calculators.
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