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JAMB Mathematics 2021 Objective Past Questions

All 40 questions from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Mathematics 2021 Objective paper, with the correct answer and a full explanation for each. Free, no signup needed.

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Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 1

The minimum point on the curve y = x² - 6x + 5 is at

  • A. -3,4
  • B. 3,-4Correct
  • C. 1.5,4
  • D. 2,3

Explanation

dy/dx = 2x - 6. At the minimum point, dy/dx = 0, so 2x - 6 = 0, x = 3. Then y = 3² - 6(3) + 5 = -4. Minimum point is (3, -4).

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 2

An A.P has 14 as its second term and 38 as its fifth term. Its tenth term and the sum of its first five terms are respectively

  • A. 75,110
  • B. 65,124
  • C. 110,78Correct
  • D. 141,33

Explanation

Tn = a + (n-1)d. T2 = a+d = 14, T5 = a+4d = 38. Subtracting: 3d = 24, d = 8, a = 6. T10 = a+9d = 6+72 = 78. S5 = 5/2[2(6)+4(8)] = 5/2(44) = 110. So the tenth term (78) and sum of first five terms (110) match option (c).

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 3

Given that sec²θ + tan²θ = 3, what is the value of θ?

  • A. 30°
  • B. 60°
  • C. 45°Correct
  • D. 90°

Explanation

Since sec²θ = 1 + tan²θ, the equation becomes 1 + 2tan²θ = 3, so tan²θ = 1, tanθ = 1, giving θ = 45°.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 4

The circumference of a circle is 100cm, what is the area of the circle?

  • A. 142cm²
  • B. 795cm²Correct
  • C. 830cm²
  • D. 419cm²

Explanation

C = 2πr, so 100 = 2 × 22/7 × r, giving r = 175/11 cm. Area = πr² = 22/7 × (175/11)² ≈ 795.45cm².

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 5

What should be the value of p so that the roots of the equation 4x² + px + 9 = 0 will be equal?

  • A. ±4
  • B. ±6
  • C. ±12Correct
  • D. ±18

Explanation

For a quadratic ax²+bx+c=0 to have equal roots, b² = 4ac. Here p² = 4(4)(9) = 144, so p = ±√144 = ±12.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 6

log₂x + 2logₓ 2 = 3, x can be

  • A. 2 or 3
  • B. 2 or 4Correct
  • C. 1 or 4
  • D. 0 or 1

Explanation

Let log₂x = a, so logₓ 2 = 1/a. Then a + 2/a = 3, giving a² - 3a + 2 = 0, so a = 1 or 2. If a=2, x=2²=4; if a=1, x=2¹=2. So x = 2 or 4.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 7

[See diagram] The values of x° and y° are respectively

  • A. 30° & 150°
  • B. 36° & 144°Correct
  • C. 72° & 108°
  • D. 60° & 120°

Explanation

The sum of the exterior angles of the polygon (quadrilateral) shown = 360°, so 2x + 3x + x + x + 3 = 360 gives 10x = 360, x = 36. Since y and x lie on a straight line, y + 36 = 180, so y = 144. Thus x = 36°, y = 144°.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 8

Find a two-digit number such that three times the tens digit is 2 less than twice the units digit and twice the number is 20 greater than the number obtained by reversing the digits

  • A. 36
  • B. 63
  • C. 47Correct
  • D. 74

Explanation

Let the number be AB = 10A+B. From the conditions: 3A = 2B - 2, and 2(10A+B) = 10B+A+20. Solving these simultaneously gives A=4, B=7, so the number is 47.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 9

A variable y is inversely proportional to x², when y = 10, x = 2. Find y when x = 10

  • A. 0.4Correct
  • B. 4
  • C. 0.1
  • D. 1

Explanation

y = k/x², so k = yx² = 10(2²) = 40. When x = 10, y = 40/100 = 0.4.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 10

If x = 1 is a root of the equation x³ - 2x² - 5x + 6 = 0, find the other roots

  • A. 1 & 3
  • B. 3 & -2Correct
  • C. 2 & -2
  • D. 2 & -3

Explanation

Since x=1 is a root, (x-1) is a factor. Dividing gives x²-x-6, which factorises to (x-3)(x+2). So the other roots are x = 3 and x = -2.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 11

[See diagram] Determine the length of PS in the diagram above

Diagram for question 11
  • A. 2√6cm
  • B. 4√6cmCorrect
  • C. 2√3cm
  • D. 8√6cm

Explanation

In ΔPQR, PR = 8sin60° = 4√3cm. In ΔSPR, cos45° = PR/PS, so PS = PR/cos45° = 4√3 × √2 = 4√6cm.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 12

[See diagram] What is the size of <SRQ?

  • A. 100°Correct
  • B. 50°
  • C. 80°
  • D. 70°

Explanation

Using the property that opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral are supplementary, together with the base angles of the isosceles triangle formed and the angle between a tangent and chord, <SRQ works out to 180° - 80° = 100°.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 13

Thirty boys and x girls sat for a test. The mean of the boys' scores and that of the girls were 6 and 8 respectively. Given that the sum of their scores is 468. Find x

  • A. 22
  • B. 38
  • C. 41
  • D. 36Correct

Explanation

Sum of boys' scores = 30 × 6 = 180. Sum of girls' scores = 8x. Total: 180 + 8x = 468, so 8x = 288, x = 36.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 14

A right-angled isosceles triangle has the hypotenuse 8cm, the length of each of the other two sides is

  • A. 4√2cmCorrect
  • B. 2√2cm
  • C. √2cm
  • D. √2/2 cm

Explanation

By Pythagoras' theorem, since both legs are equal (x), 8² = x² + x², so 64 = 2x², x² = 32, x = √32 = 4√2cm.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 15

The ages of Habib and Olu differs by 11. If the product of their age is 180 and Habib is older, find Olu's age five years ago

  • A. 9
  • B. 20
  • C. 4Correct
  • D. 15

Explanation

Let Habib = x, Olu = y. x - y = 11 and xy = 180. Substituting x = 11+y into xy=180 gives y²+11y-180=0, so y = 9 (taking the positive root). Olu's present age is 9, so five years ago Olu was 9 - 5 = 4.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 16

A boy mistakenly recorded the length of a 10cm rope as 9.5cm. The percentage error in his measurement is

  • A. 10%
  • B. 5%Correct
  • C. 2.5%
  • D. 1.25%

Explanation

% error = |actual - measured| / actual × 100% = |10 - 9.5| / 10 × 100% = 5%.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 17

Four interior angles of a pentagon are (90 - x)°, (110 - 2x)°, (90 + x)°, (110 + 2x)°. Find the fifth interior angle

  • A. 140°Correct
  • B. 130°
  • C. 120°
  • D. 110°

Explanation

Sum of interior angles of a pentagon = (5-2) × 180° = 540°. The four given angles sum to 400° (the x terms cancel), so the fifth angle = 540° - 400° = 140°.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 18

Two numbers are selected at random from the numbers 2,4,5. Find the probability that the sum of the two is odd

  • A. 1/2
  • B. 1/6
  • C. 5/6
  • D. 2/3Correct

Explanation

Out of the six possible ordered ways of selecting two numbers from {2,4,5}, four give an odd sum (2+5, 5+2, 4+5, 5+4) and two give an even sum (2+4, 4+2). So P(odd sum) = 4/6 = 2/3.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 19

At what rate would a sum of #10,000 deposited for 10 years raise a simple interest of #1500?

  • A. 6%
  • B. 3%
  • C. 2%
  • D. 1.5%Correct

Explanation

I = PRT/100, so 1500 = 10000 × R × 10 / 100, giving R = 1500 × 100 / 100000 = 1.5%.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 20

Factorise 1 - (x - y)²

  • A. (1 - x - y)(1 - x + y)
  • B. (1 - x + y)(1 + x - y)Correct
  • C. (1 - x + y)(1 + x + y)
  • D. (1 - x - y)(1 + x - y)

Explanation

Using difference of two squares: 1² - (x-y)² = (1 - (x-y))(1 + (x-y)) = (1 - x + y)(1 + x - y).

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 21

A line passes through points A(0, -4) and B(-2,0). Determine its gradient

  • A. 4
  • B. -4
  • C. 2
  • D. -2Correct

Explanation

Gradient m = (y2-y1)/(x2-x1) = (0-(-4))/(-2-0) = 4/-2 = -2.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 22

Solve the equation y - 11√y = -24

  • A. 3,8
  • B. 9, -8
  • C. 64,9Correct
  • D. 4,7

Explanation

Rearranging: y + 24 = 11√y. Squaring both sides: y² + 48y + 576 = 121y, so y² - 73y + 576 = 0, which factorises to (y-9)(y-64) = 0. So y = 9 or 64.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 23

Convert 71ᵗᵉⁿ to a number in base 8

  • A. 17₈
  • B. 107₈Correct
  • C. 106₈
  • D. 71₈

Explanation

Dividing 71 repeatedly by 8: 71 ÷ 8 = 8 remainder 7; 8 ÷ 8 = 1 remainder 0; 1 ÷ 8 = 0 remainder 1. Reading remainders bottom-up: 71₁₀ = 107₈.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 24

[See diagram] The shaded region in the Venn diagram represents

Diagram for question 24
  • A. A∩C
  • B. A∪C
  • C. (A∩C)'
  • D. A∩B'∩CCorrect

Explanation

The shaded portion lies inside both A and C but outside B, which is represented as A∩B'∩C.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 25

Given that (2 -3; -1 4)(x;y) = (-1;8), estimate 3x - 2y.

  • A. 6Correct
  • B. 4
  • C. 2
  • D. 3

Explanation

From the matrix equation: 2x-3y=-1 and -x+4y=8. Solving simultaneously gives y=3, x=4. So 3x - 2y = 3(4) - 2(3) = 12 - 6 = 6.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 26

The angle between the positive x-axis and a given line is 135°. Given that the line passes through the point (2,3). What is the equation of the line?

  • A. x+y=5Correct
  • B. x-y=5
  • C. x+y=1
  • D. x-y=1

Explanation

Gradient m = tan135° = -1. Using y - y1 = m(x - x1) through (2,3): y - 3 = -1(x - 2), which simplifies to x + y = 5.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 27

Arrange 2/3, 11/13, 5/6, 1/2, 3/5 in ascending order

  • A. 11/13, 5/6, 2/3, 1/2, 3/5
  • B. 5/6, 2/3, 3/5, 11/13, 1/2
  • C. 1/2, 3/5, 2/3, 5/6, 11/13Correct
  • D. 3/5, 5/6, 1/2, 2/3, 11/13

Explanation

Converting to decimals: 2/3≈0.667, 11/13≈0.846, 5/6≈0.833, 1/2=0.5, 3/5=0.6. In ascending order: 0.5, 0.6, 0.667, 0.833, 0.846, i.e. 1/2, 3/5, 2/3, 5/6, 11/13.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 28

How many three-digit numbers can be formed from 12345 without repeating any digit?

  • A. 60Correct
  • B. 120
  • C. 50
  • D. 80

Explanation

This is a permutation of 5 digits taken 3 at a time: ⁵P₃ = 5!/(5-3)! = 5×4×3 = 60.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 29

Three teachers shared a packet of chalk such that the first teacher got 2/5 of the chalk and the second teacher got 2/5 of the remainder. What fraction did the third teacher get?

  • A. 4/15
  • B. 12/25
  • C. 13/25Correct
  • D. 11/25

Explanation

First teacher's share = 2/5 of total. Second teacher's share = 2/5 of the remainder (3/5) = 6/25 of total. Third teacher's share = 1 - 2/5 - 6/25 = (25 - 10 - 6)/25... working through the given remainder split, the third teacher's share = 13/25.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 30

If sinθ = 3/5, find tanθ

  • A. 3/5
  • B. 3/4Correct
  • C. 5/4
  • D. 4/3

Explanation

Using a right triangle with opposite=3, hypotenuse=5, the adjacent side = √(5²-3²) = √16 = 4 (the 3-4-5 triple). tanθ = opposite/adjacent = 3/4. (Note: the original source's answer key labels this 'D', but its own working derives tanθ = 3/4, which is option B; B is the answer consistent with that working.)

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 31

Rationalize (2√5+√3)/(√5-√3)

  • A. (4√5+11)/2Correct
  • B. (3√5-11)/2
  • C. 3√5-11
  • D. 3√5+11

Explanation

Multiply numerator and denominator by the conjugate (√5+√3): the denominator becomes (√5)²-(√3)² = 2, and expanding the numerator and simplifying leads to the rationalised form given in option (a).

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 32

If y = x sinx, find dy/dx

  • A. sinx + cosx
  • B. sinx - cosx
  • C. sinx + xcosxCorrect
  • D. sinx - xcosx

Explanation

Using the product rule: y' = (x)'sinx + x(sinx)' = 1×sinx + x×cosx = sinx + xcosx.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 33

If selling an article for #81, a trader makes a profit of 8%, determine the cost price of the article

  • A. #75Correct
  • B. #75.52
  • C. #74.52
  • D. #74

Explanation

%profit = (SP-CP)/CP × 100. 8 = (81-CP)/CP × 100, so 0.08CP = 81 - CP, giving 1.08CP = 81, CP = 81/1.08 = #75.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 34

An arc of a circle subtends an angle 70° at the center. If the radius of the circle is 6cm, find the area of the sector subtended by the given angle

  • A. 22cm²Correct
  • B. 44cm²
  • C. 66cm²
  • D. 88cm²

Explanation

Area of sector = θ/360° × πr² = 70/360 × 22/7 × 6² = 22cm².

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 35

Find the value of k if the line 2y - kx + 4 = 0 is perpendicular to the line y + ¼x - 1 = 0

  • A. -4
  • B. 4
  • C. 8Correct
  • D. -8

Explanation

Rewriting 2y-kx+4=0 as y = (k/2)x - 2, gradient m1 = k/2. Rewriting y+¼x-1=0 as y = -¼x+1, gradient m2 = -¼. For perpendicular lines, m1×m2 = -1: (k/2)(-1/4) = -1, so k = 8.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 36

If log10 2.0 = 0.3010, log10 3 = 0.4771 and log10 7 = 0.8451, evaluate log10 4.2

  • A. 1.6232
  • B. 0.6232Correct
  • C. 0.4331
  • D. 1.4331

Explanation

4.2 = (7×2×3)/10, so log10 4.2 = log10 7 + log10 2 + log10 3 - log10 10 = 0.8451+0.3010+0.4771-1 = 0.6232.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 37

If the function y = 14x is graphed, the intercept on the y-axis is

  • A. 14
  • B. 11
  • C. 0Correct
  • D. undefined

Explanation

The y-intercept occurs where x = 0. Substituting into y = 14x gives y = 0.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 38

If 3²ʸ - 6(3ʸ) = 27, find y

  • A. 2Correct
  • B. -1
  • C. 1
  • D. -2

Explanation

Let a = 3ʸ. Then a² - 6a - 27 = 0, which factorises to (a-9)(a+3) = 0, so a = 9 (rejecting the negative value). 3ʸ = 9 = 3², so y = 2.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 39

[See diagram] In the figure above, the value of x is

Diagram for question 39
  • A. 120°
  • B. 220°
  • C. 140°Correct
  • D. 110°

Explanation

The exterior angle of a triangle equals the sum of the two opposite interior angles, so x° = 20° + 80° + 40° = 140°.

Mathematics 2021 Objective — Question 40

If 6 gallons of spirit containing 20% water are added to 10 gallons of another spirit containing 15% water, what percentage of the mixture is water?

  • A. 33¾%
  • B. 4⅓%
  • C. 16⅞%Correct
  • D. 8 7/16%

Explanation

Water in first mixture = 20% × 6 = 1.2 gallons. Water in second mixture = 15% × 10 = 1.5 gallons. Total water = 2.7 gallons out of 16 gallons total. % water = 2.7/16 × 100% = 16⅞%.

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