If you are a science student preparing for this year‘s WAEC exam, then you need to have the WAEC Syllabus for Mathematics to help guide you in your studies.

It’s not enough to study your notes and textbooks, if you don’t have an area of concentration, then you’ll possibly miss vital information during your study. That is what the WAEC Syllabus does for you; it helps you study the right topics and materials.

Without wasting any of your time, we’ll dive right into it.

What is the Aim of the WAEC Mathematics Syllabus?

The waec mathematics syllabus aims to test candidates:

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

This waec syllabus is not intended to be used as a teaching syllabus, but rather for exam preparation. Teachers are advised to use their National teaching syllabuses or curricula.

WAEC Examination Scheme/Format for Mathematics

This waec exam will have two papers, Papers 1 and 2, which must be taken.

Paper 1

It 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

It will consist of thirteen essay questions in 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

It will consist of five compulsory questions, elementary, with 40 marks.

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

Section B

It will consist of eight questions of greater length and difficulty. Candidates will be expected to answer five questions for 60 marks.

The questions shall include a maximum of two drawn from parts of the syllabuses that may not be peculiar to candidates’ home countries.

WAEC Syllabus for Mathematics Exam 2024

#1. Number and Numeration

Number bases
Modular Arithmetic Fractions, Decimals and Approximations
Indices
Logarithms
Sequence and Series
Sets
Logical Reasoning
Positive and negative integers, rational numbers
Surds (Radicals)
Matrices and Determinants
Ratio, Proportions and Rates
Percentages
Financial Arithmetic
Variation

#2. Algebraic Processes

Algebraic expressions
Simple operations on algebraic expressions
Solution of Linear Equations
Change of Subject of a Formula/Relation
Quadratic Equations
Graphs of Linear and Quadratic functions.
Linear Inequalities
Algebraic Fractions
Functions and Relations

#3. Mensuration

Lengths and
Perimeters
Areas
Volumes

#4. Plane Geometry

Angles
Angles and intercepts on parallel lines.
Triangles and Polygons.
Circles
Construction
Loci

#5. Coordinate Geometry of Straight Line

Concept of the x-y plane.
Coordinates of points on the x-y plane

#6. Trigonometry

Sine, Cosine and Tangent of an angle.
Angles of elevation and depression
Bearings

#7. Introductory Calculus

Differentiation of algebraic functions.
Integration of simple Algebraic functions

#8. Statistics and Probability

Statistics
Probability

#9. Vectors and Transformation

Vectors in a Plane
Transformation in the Cartesian Plane

Units for the WAEC Mathematics Exam

Candidates for the waec should be familiar with the following units and their symbols.

Length

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

Area

10,000 square metres (m2) = 1 hectare (ha)

Capacity

1000 cubic centimeters (cm3) = 1 litre (l)

Mass

1000 milligrammes (mg) = 1 gramme (g)
1000 grammes (g) = 1 kilogramme( kg )
1000 ogrammes (kg) = 1 tonne.

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.

Other Useful Information for the WAEC Exam

1. About the Use of Mathematical and Statistical Tables

Candidates can only use mathematics and Statistical tables published or approved by WAEC.

In any case, where the degree of accuracy is not specified in a question, the expected degree of accuracy will be obtained from the mathematical tables.

2. Use of Calculators

The use of non-programmable, silent and cordless calculators is allowed.

However, the calculators must not be able to receive or send any information (e.g. phones with or without calculators are not allowed).

Exam Rules

WAEC candidates should bring their own rulers, pairs of compasses, protractors, set squares, etc., required for the subject papers.
You are not allowed to borrow such instruments or materials from other candidates in the examination hall.
Graph papers ruled in 2mm squares will be provided for any form in which it is required.

WAEC Recommended Textbooks for Mathematics Exam

Here is the list of WAEC recommended textbooks for Mathematics exam;

Adelodun A. A (2000) Distinction in Mathematics: Comprehensive Revision Text, (3rd Edition) Ado Â–Ekiti: FNPL.
Anyebe, J. A. B (1998) Basic Mathematics for Senior Secondary Schools and Remedial Students in Higher/ institutions, Lagos: Kenny Moore.
Channon, J. B. Smith, A. M (2001) New General Mathematics for West Africa SSS 1 to 3, Lagos: Longman.
David Â–Osuagwu, M. et al. (2000) New School Mathematics for Senior Secondary Schools, Onitsha: Africana – FIRST Publishers.
Egbe. E et al. (2000) Further Mathematics, Onitsha: Africana Â– FIRST Publishers.
Ibude, S. O. et al. (2003) Algebra and Calculus for Schools and Colleges: LINCEL Publishers.
Tuttuh Â– Adegun M. R. et al. (1997), Further Mathematics Project Books 1 to 3, Ibadan: NPS Educational.

In Summary

There you have it, the updated compilation of the WAEC Syllabus for Mathematics Exam 2024. It is now up to you to make good use of this information and pass your waec exam.

If you have any questions, do well to ask us.

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