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Question 1Number and Operations
What is the value of the digit 6 in the number 3 264 051?
- 6 000
- 600
- 60 000 Correct answer.
- 600 000
Explanation
Reading the columns from the right gives units, tens, hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, so the digit 6 in 3 264 051 sits in the ten-thousands column. Its value is therefore 6 × 10 000 = 60 000.
Question 2Number and Operations
Work out the value of (−4) × (−3) + (−5).
- 7 Correct answer.
- −7
- −17
- 17
Explanation
Multiplication is carried out before addition, and the product of two negative numbers is positive, so (−4) × (−3) = 12. Adding the remaining term gives 12 + (−5) = 7.
Question 3Number and Operations
Which one of the following numbers is a prime number?
- 63
- 57
- 59 Correct answer.
- 51
Explanation
A prime number has exactly two factors, 1 and itself. The number 59 is not divisible by 2, 3, 5 or 7, whereas 51 = 3 × 17, 57 = 3 × 19 and 63 = 7 × 9 all have further factors.
Question 4Number and Operations
Work out 2/3 + 3/4 − 1/6, giving your answer as a single fraction in its lowest terms.
- 3/4
- 5/4 Correct answer.
- 19/12
- 17/12
Explanation
Rewrite every fraction over the lowest common denominator 12: 2/3 = 8/12, 3/4 = 9/12 and 1/6 = 2/12. Then 8/12 + 9/12 − 2/12 = 15/12, which simplifies to 5/4.
Question 5Number and Operations
A shopkeeper buys a radio for P250 and sells it for P300. Calculate the percentage profit.
- 50%
- 20% Correct answer.
- 25%
- 16.7%
Explanation
The profit is P300 − P250 = P50, and percentage profit is always calculated on the cost price. Hence the profit is 50/250 × 100% = 20%.
Question 6Number and Operations
P840 is shared among three people in the ratio 3 : 4 : 5. How much does the person receiving the largest share get?
- P280
- P350 Correct answer.
- P300
- P210
Explanation
The ratio contains 3 + 4 + 5 = 12 equal parts, so each part is worth P840 ÷ 12 = P70. The largest share is 5 parts, that is 5 × P70 = P350.
Question 7Number and Operations
Write 0.000 046 in standard form.
- 4.6 × 10⁻⁴
- 4.6 × 10⁵
- 4.6 × 10⁻⁵ Correct answer.
- 46 × 10⁻⁶
Explanation
Standard form is written as A × 10ⁿ where A lies between 1 and 10. Moving the decimal point five places to the right in 0.000 046 gives 4.6, so the number is 4.6 × 10⁻⁵.
Question 8Number and Operations
Find the lowest common multiple of 12, 18 and 24.
- 36
- 216
- 72 Correct answer.
- 48
Explanation
Write each number in prime factors: 12 = 2² × 3, 18 = 2 × 3² and 24 = 2³ × 3. The LCM uses the highest power of each prime, so it is 2³ × 3² = 72.
Question 9Number and Operations
Simplify (3² × 3⁻⁵) ÷ (3⁻¹ × 3⁰), giving your answer as a fraction.
- 1/81
- 27
- 9
- 1/9 Correct answer.
Explanation
For powers of the same base, indices are added when multiplying and subtracted when dividing. The numerator is 3^(2−5) = 3⁻³ and the denominator is 3^(−1+0) = 3⁻¹, so the quotient is 3^(−3−(−1)) = 3⁻², which equals 1/9.
Question 10Number and Operations
Express the recurring decimal 0.4444… as a fraction in its simplest form.
- 2/5
- 4/11
- 44/100
- 4/9 Correct answer.
Explanation
Let x = 0.4444…, so that 10x = 4.4444…. Subtracting the first equation from the second gives 9x = 4, and therefore x = 4/9, which is already in its lowest terms.
Question 11Number and Operations
Round the number 4 873 596 to the nearest thousand.
- 4 873 000
- 4 870 000
- 4 900 000
- 4 874 000 Correct answer.
Explanation
The digit in the thousands place is 3, so the deciding digit is the hundreds digit, which is 5. Because 5 means round up, the thousands digit increases from 3 to 4 and the last three digits become zeros, giving 4 874 000.
Question 12Number and Operations
Which of the following lists is arranged in ascending order?
- −3/4, −1/2, −2/3, 0.4
- −2/3, −3/4, −1/2, 0.4
- −1/2, −2/3, −3/4, 0.4
- −3/4, −2/3, −1/2, 0.4 Correct answer.
Explanation
As decimals the values are −0.75, −0.667, −0.5 and 0.4. For negative numbers, the value furthest from zero is the smallest, so −3/4 comes first, then −2/3, then −1/2, and finally the positive decimal 0.4.
Question 13Number and Operations
Express the fraction 5/8 as a percentage.
- 160%
- 58%
- 62.5% Correct answer.
- 80%
Explanation
To change a fraction into a percentage, multiply it by 100. Here 5/8 × 100 = 500 ÷ 8 = 62.5, so the fraction equals 62.5%.
Question 14Number and Operations
Write 360 as a product of its prime factors, giving the answer in index form.
- 2³ × 3² × 5 Correct answer.
- 2² × 3² × 5
- 2³ × 3 × 5²
- 2⁴ × 3² × 5
Explanation
Repeated division by primes gives 360 = 2 × 180 = 2 × 2 × 90 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 45, and 45 = 3 × 3 × 5. Collecting repeated factors into powers gives 2³ × 3² × 5, which checks to 8 × 9 × 5 = 360.
Question 15Number and Operations
A car travels 180 km on 15 litres of fuel. At the same rate, how far will it travel on 22 litres?
- 252 km
- 300 km
- 264 km Correct answer.
- 240 km
Explanation
The distance per litre is found by dividing: 180 ÷ 15 = 12 km per litre. Multiplying by 22 litres gives 22 × 12 = 264 km, so the car travels 264 km.
Question 16Number and Operations
Evaluate (2/3)⁻², leaving the answer as a fraction.
- −4/9
- 9/4 Correct answer.
- −9/4
- 4/9
Explanation
A negative index means take the reciprocal of the base, so (2/3)⁻² = (3/2)². Squaring numerator and denominator gives 9/4.
Question 17Number and Operations
In a sale a jacket is reduced by 15% and now costs P340. What was the price of the jacket before the sale?
- P400 Correct answer.
- P355
- P385
- P391
Explanation
After a 15% reduction the sale price is 85% of the original price. Dividing by 0.85 gives 340 ÷ 0.85 = 400, and checking: 15% of 400 is 60, and 400 − 60 = 340.
Question 18Number and Operations
A traveller converts P4 300 into British pounds at an exchange rate of P17.20 to £1. How many pounds does the traveller receive?
- £260
- £240
- £430
- £250 Correct answer.
Explanation
When changing from pula to pounds, divide the amount in pula by the value of one pound. Here 4 300 ÷ 17.20 = 250, so the traveller receives £250.
Question 19Number and Operations
A rectangle has length 8.4 cm and width 5.6 cm, each measured correct to 1 decimal place. What is the lower bound of its area?
- 46.3425 cm² Correct answer.
- 46.3500 cm²
- 47.0400 cm²
- 46.2000 cm²
Explanation
A measurement correct to 1 decimal place can be up to 0.05 below the stated value, so the lower bounds are 8.35 cm and 5.55 cm. The smallest possible area is 8.35 × 5.55 = 46.3425 cm².
Question 20Number and Operations
P5 000 is invested at 4% per annum compound interest for 2 years. How much interest is earned in total?
- P416
- P400
- P5408
- P408 Correct answer.
Explanation
Compound interest gives an amount of 5 000 × 1.04² = 5 000 × 1.0816 = 5 408. The interest earned is the amount minus the principal, so 5 408 − 5 000 = P408.
Question 21Number and Operations
Work out 5 + 3 × 4 − 8 ÷ 2.
- 17
- 13 Correct answer.
- 9
- 21
Explanation
Use the order of operations: multiplication and division are done before addition and subtraction. Here 3 × 4 = 12 and 8 ÷ 2 = 4, so the expression becomes 5 + 12 − 4 = 13.
Question 22Number and Operations
Express the fraction 7/20 as a decimal.
- 0.27
- 0.72
- 0.14
- 0.35 Correct answer.
Explanation
A fraction can be converted to a decimal by dividing the numerator by the denominator. Since 7 ÷ 20 = 0.35, the decimal form of 7/20 is 0.35.
Question 23Number and Operations
Find the highest common factor (HCF) of 48 and 72.
- 48
- 6
- 12
- 24 Correct answer.
Explanation
Write the prime factorisations: 48 = 2^4 × 3 and 72 = 2^3 × 3^2. The HCF uses the lower power of each common prime factor, so 2^3 × 3 = 24.
Question 24Number and Operations
Work out (4.5 × 10^4) × (2 × 10^−2), giving your answer in standard form.
- 9 × 10^2 Correct answer.
- 9 × 10^3
- 9 × 10^1
- 4.5 × 10^2
Explanation
Multiply the coefficients: 4.5 × 2 = 9. Then add the indices of the powers of 10: 10^4 × 10^−2 = 10^2, so the answer is 9 × 10^2.
Question 25Number and Operations
Find the simple interest on P2 500 invested at 6% per annum for 3 years.
- P4 500
- P2 950
- P450 Correct answer.
- P150
Explanation
Simple interest is I = PRT/100. Substituting P = 2500, R = 6 and T = 3 gives I = (2500 × 6 × 3)/100 = 450, so the interest is P450.
Question 26Number and Operations
Simplify the ratio 0.8 : 1.2 : 2.0 to integers in simplest form.
- 2 : 3 : 5 Correct answer.
- 4 : 6 : 10
- 1 : 1.5 : 2.5
- 8 : 12 : 20
Explanation
Multiply each part by 10 to remove the decimals, giving 8 : 12 : 20. Divide each term by the common factor 4 to obtain 2 : 3 : 5.
Question 27Number and Operations
Work out 3/4 ÷ 2/5, leaving your answer as a fraction in its simplest form.
- 3/2
- 3/10
- 15/8 Correct answer.
- 8/15
Explanation
Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal. So 3/4 ÷ 2/5 = 3/4 × 5/2 = 15/8.
Question 28Number and Operations
The temperature at 6 a.m. was −7°C. By noon it had risen by 12°C, and by midnight it had fallen by 5°C from the noon temperature. What was the temperature at midnight?
- −10°C
- 10°C
- 0°C Correct answer.
- −2°C
Explanation
At noon the temperature was −7 + 12 = 5°C. By midnight it had fallen 5°C, so it was 5 − 5 = 0°C.
Question 29Number and Operations
A sum of money is divided among A, B and C in the ratio 2 : 3 : 7. The largest share exceeds the smallest share by P450. What is the total sum of money?
- P2 160
- P1 350
- P900
- P1 080 Correct answer.
Explanation
The difference between the largest and smallest shares is 7 − 2 = 5 parts. Since 5 parts equal P450, one part is P90. The total is 2 + 3 + 7 = 12 parts, so 12 × 90 = P1 080.
Question 30Number and Operations
Evaluate (1/2 + 1/3) ÷ (1/4 − 1/5), giving your answer as a fraction in its simplest form.
- 5/3
- 10/3
- 25/3
- 50/3 Correct answer.
Explanation
First combine each bracket: 1/2 + 1/3 = 5/6 and 1/4 − 1/5 = 1/20. Then divide: 5/6 ÷ 1/20 = 5/6 × 20 = 100/6 = 50/3.
Question 31Number and Operations
In the number 5 308 472, what is the value of the digit 3?
- 3 000 000
- 300 000 Correct answer.
- 3 000
- 30 000
Explanation
Each place value column is ten times the value of the column to its right. The digit 3 is in the hundred-thousands column, so its value is 3 × 100 000 = 300 000.
Question 32Number and Operations
Work out 3/8 + 1/6, giving your answer as a fraction in its simplest form.
- 13/24 Correct answer.
- 4/14
- 3/14
- 1/2
Explanation
The lowest common denominator of 8 and 6 is 24. Rewrite the fractions as 9/24 and 4/24, then add the numerators to get 13/24.
Question 33Number and Operations
Find the lowest common multiple (LCM) of 12 and 18.
- 6
- 36 Correct answer.
- 72
- 216
Explanation
List multiples of 12 and 18 until a common value appears: 12, 24, 36 and 18, 36. The first shared multiple is 36, so the LCM is 36.
Question 34Number and Operations
A quantity increases from 80 to 92. What is the percentage increase?
- 15% Correct answer.
- 12%
- 17%
- 13%
Explanation
The actual increase is 92 − 80 = 12. Percentage increase is found by dividing the increase by the original amount and multiplying by 100, giving 12/80 × 100 = 15%.
Question 35Number and Operations
A sum of P720 is shared between two people in the ratio 5 : 4. How much does the larger share receive?
- P360
- P400 Correct answer.
- P320
- P450
Explanation
The ratio has 5 + 4 = 9 equal parts. One part is P720 ÷ 9 = P80, so the larger share is 5 × P80 = P400.
Question 36Number and Operations
Work out (8.1 × 10^6) ÷ (2.7 × 10^2), giving your answer in standard form.
- 3 × 10^3
- 3 × 10^8
- 5.4 × 10^4
- 3 × 10^4 Correct answer.
Explanation
Divide the coefficients: 8.1 ÷ 2.7 = 3. For the powers of ten, subtract the indices: 10^6 ÷ 10^2 = 10^(6−2) = 10^4. The answer is therefore 3 × 10^4.
Question 37Number and Operations
Express the recurring decimal 0.222... as a fraction in its simplest form.
- 1/5
- 2/9 Correct answer.
- 2/11
- 1/4
Explanation
Let x = 0.222... . Then 10x = 2.222... . Subtracting gives 9x = 2, so x = 2/9.
Question 38Number and Operations
Work out 0.6 × 0.35.
- 2.1
- 0.21 Correct answer.
- 0.021
- 21
Explanation
Multiply 6 by 35 to get 210. There are three decimal places in total in 0.6 and 0.35, so place the decimal point three places from the right, giving 0.210 = 0.21.
Question 39Number and Operations
Find the smallest positive integer n such that 84n is a perfect square.
- 21 Correct answer.
- 42
- 7
- 3
Explanation
Write 84 = 2^2 × 3 × 7. For a perfect square, every prime exponent must be even, so n must supply one factor of 3 and one factor of 7. Thus the smallest n is 3 × 7 = 21.
Question 40Number and Operations
Evaluate 16^(3/4) × 2^(−3).
- 2
- 8
- 4
- 1 Correct answer.
Explanation
Write 16 as 2^4, so 16^(3/4) = (2^4)^(3/4) = 2^3 = 8. Since 2^(−3) = 1/8, the product is 8 × 1/8 = 1.
Question 41Algebra
Simplify 5a - 2b + 3a - b.
- 8a - b
- 2a - 3b
- 8a - 3b Correct answer.
- 8a + 3b
Explanation
Like terms contain exactly the same variables with the same powers, so they can be combined by adding or subtracting their coefficients. Here 5a + 3a gives 8a, and -2b - b gives -3b, producing 8a - 3b.
Question 42Algebra
Solve the equation 3(x - 2) = 18.
- 6
- 4
- 8 Correct answer.
- 12
Explanation
Divide both sides of the equation by 3 to get x - 2 = 6, then add 2 to both sides. This gives x = 8; substituting 8 back into the original equation confirms 3(6) = 18.
Question 43Algebra
Expand 4(2x - 3).
- 8x + 12
- 8x - 12 Correct answer.
- 2x - 12
- 8x - 3
Explanation
Use the distributive law: multiply each term inside the bracket by 4. Thus 4 × 2x = 8x and 4 × (-3) = -12, giving 8x - 12.
Question 44Algebra
Factorise fully 6x^2 - 9x.
- x(6x - 9)
- 3(2x^2 - 3x)
- 3x(2x + 3)
- 3x(2x - 3) Correct answer.
Explanation
The highest common factor of 6x^2 and 9x is 3x, because 3x divides both terms. Taking 3x out leaves 2x - 3 inside the bracket, so the fully factorised expression is 3x(2x - 3).
Question 45Algebra
Solve the inequality -2x + 5 < 11.
- x > 3
- x < 3
- x > -3 Correct answer.
- x < -3
Explanation
Subtract 5 from both sides to get -2x < 6. Dividing by -2 reverses the inequality sign, so x > -3.
Question 46Algebra
Solve the simultaneous equations 2x + y = 11 and x - y = 1.
- (4, 3) Correct answer.
- (5, 1)
- (3, 4)
- (2, 7)
Explanation
Adding the two equations eliminates y, because y + (-y) = 0, giving 3x = 12, so x = 4. Substituting x = 4 into x - y = 1 gives y = 3, and the solution checks in both equations.
Question 47Algebra
Simplify (x^2 - 9) / (x + 3), stating the result for values of x where the expression is defined.
- x - 3 Correct answer.
- x + 3
- x^2 - 3
- x - 9
Explanation
Recognise the numerator as a difference of two squares: x^2 - 9 = (x - 3)(x + 3). Cancelling the common factor x + 3 leaves x - 3, provided x is not -3.
Question 48Algebra
Simplify (2x^2)^3.
- 2x^6
- 6x^6
- 8x^5
- 8x^6 Correct answer.
Explanation
(2x^2)^3 means 2^3 × (x^2)^3. This equals 8x^6 because 2 cubed is 8 and powers are multiplied when raising a power to a power.
Question 49Algebra
A rectangle is 3 cm longer than its width. Its perimeter is 34 cm. Find the width of the rectangle.
- 5 cm
- 10 cm
- 7 cm Correct answer.
- 6 cm
Explanation
Let the width be w cm; then the length is w + 3 cm. The perimeter is 2(w + w + 3) = 34, so 4w + 6 = 34, giving w = 7. The dimensions 7 cm by 10 cm give a perimeter of 34 cm.
Question 50Algebra
Solve x^2 - 5x + 6 = 0.
- x = 2 or x = 3 Correct answer.
- x = -2 or x = -3
- x = -1 or x = -6
- x = 1 or x = 6
Explanation
Factorise the quadratic as (x - 2)(x - 3) = 0, since -2 and -3 multiply to 6 and add to -5. Setting each factor equal to zero gives x = 2 or x = 3.