GCE O/L Mathematics study materials
GCE O/L Mathematics study resources

GCE O/L Mathematics practice questions

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Question 1Number

What is the value of the digit 7 in the number 3,742?

  1. 700 Correct answer.
  2. 7000
  3. 7
  4. 70

Explanation

In the number 3,742, the digit 7 is in the hundreds place, so its value is 7 × 100 = 700. The place values from right to left are ones, tens, hundreds, thousands.

Question 2Number

Which of the following numbers is a prime number?

  1. 27
  2. 33
  3. 21
  4. 29 Correct answer.

Explanation

A prime number has exactly two distinct factors: 1 and itself. 29 is not divisible by 2, 3, or 5, and its only factors are 1 and 29. The other numbers are all divisible by 3.

Question 3Number

Calculate 0.6 × 0.4.

  1. 24
  2. 0.024
  3. 0.24 Correct answer.
  4. 2.4

Explanation

Multiply the digits: 6 × 4 = 24. There is one decimal place in 0.6 and one in 0.4, giving two decimal places in the product, so the answer is 0.24.

Question 4Number

What is 3/5 written as a decimal?

  1. 0.8
  2. 0.6 Correct answer.
  3. 0.35
  4. 0.53

Explanation

To convert 3/5 to a decimal, divide 3 by 5. Since 3 ÷ 5 = 0.6, the decimal form is 0.6. Alternatively, multiply numerator and denominator by 2 to get 6/10 = 0.6.

Question 5Number

Which of the following is the highest common factor (HCF) of 18 and 24?

  1. 12
  2. 3
  3. 2
  4. 6 Correct answer.

Explanation

The factors of 18 are 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18; the factors of 24 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24. The largest factor common to both lists is 6.

Question 6Number

Evaluate 2³ + 4 × 2.

  1. 16 Correct answer.
  2. 12
  3. 14
  4. 24

Explanation

Using the order of operations, evaluate the power first: 2³ = 8. Then multiply: 4 × 2 = 8. Finally add: 8 + 8 = 16.

Question 7Number

What is the next term in the sequence 2, 6, 18, 54, ...?

  1. 162 Correct answer.
  2. 216
  3. 108
  4. 72

Explanation

Each term is obtained by multiplying the previous term by 3: 2 × 3 = 6, 6 × 3 = 18, 18 × 3 = 54. Therefore the next term is 54 × 3 = 162.

Question 8Number

Which of these numbers is divisible by 9?

  1. 234 Correct answer.
  2. 345
  3. 123
  4. 456

Explanation

A number is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9. For 234, 2 + 3 + 4 = 9, which is divisible by 9, so 234 is divisible by 9.

Question 9Number

A recipe uses 250 g of flour to make 10 cakes. How much flour is needed to make 25 cakes at the same rate?

  1. 750 g
  2. 1000 g
  3. 500 g
  4. 625 g Correct answer.

Explanation

The amount of flour per cake is 250 ÷ 10 = 25 g. For 25 cakes, the flour needed is 25 × 25 = 625 g. Alternatively, 25 cakes is 2.5 times 10 cakes, so 2.5 × 250 = 625 g.

Question 10Number

Express 0.00045 in standard form.

  1. 4.5 × 10⁻³
  2. 4.5 × 10⁻⁴ Correct answer.
  3. 45 × 10⁻⁵
  4. 4.5 × 10⁴

Explanation

Standard form is a × 10ⁿ where 1 ≤ a < 10. Moving the decimal point in 0.00045 four places to the right gives 4.5, so the exponent is −4. Thus 0.00045 = 4.5 × 10⁻⁴.

Question 11Number

Simplify (2 × 10⁵) × (3 × 10⁻²), giving your answer in standard form.

  1. 5 × 10³
  2. 6 × 10³ Correct answer.
  3. 6 × 10⁻³
  4. 6 × 10⁷

Explanation

Multiply the coefficients: 2 × 3 = 6. Add the indices: 10⁵ × 10⁻² = 10³. The result is 6 × 10³, which is already in standard form.

Question 12Number

A shirt costs $40. In a sale, the price is reduced by 15%. What is the sale price?

  1. $25
  2. $36
  3. $34 Correct answer.
  4. $35

Explanation

The reduction is 15% of $40 = 0.15 × 40 = $6. Subtract this from the original price: $40 − $6 = $34. Alternatively, the sale price is 85% of $40 = 0.85 × 40 = $34.

Question 13Number

Simplify 3(2x + 4) − 2(x − 5).

  1. 4x + 12
  2. 4x + 22 Correct answer.
  3. 8x + 22
  4. 4x + 2

Explanation

Expand each bracket: 3(2x + 4) = 6x + 12 and −2(x − 5) = −2x + 10. Then combine like terms: 6x − 2x = 4x and 12 + 10 = 22, giving 4x + 22.

Question 14Number

Solve the equation 5x − 3 = 2x + 12.

  1. x = 9
  2. x = 15
  3. x = 3
  4. x = 5 Correct answer.

Explanation

Subtract 2x from both sides: 3x − 3 = 12. Add 3 to both sides: 3x = 15. Divide by 3: x = 5.

Question 15Number

The ratio of boys to girls in a class is 3:5. If there are 40 students in the class, how many girls are there?

  1. 25 Correct answer.
  2. 15
  3. 30
  4. 20

Explanation

The total number of parts is 3 + 5 = 8. Each part represents 40 ÷ 8 = 5 students. The number of girls is 5 parts × 5 = 25.

Question 16Number

A car travels 150 km in 2 hours. What is its average speed in km/h?

  1. 100 km/h
  2. 75 km/h Correct answer.
  3. 300 km/h
  4. 50 km/h

Explanation

Average speed is distance divided by time: 150 km ÷ 2 h = 75 km/h. This means the car covers 75 km each hour on average.

Question 17Number

Round 7.846 to 2 decimal places.

  1. 7.85 Correct answer.
  2. 7.84
  3. 7.9
  4. 7.8

Explanation

To round to 2 decimal places, look at the third decimal digit, which is 6. Since 6 is 5 or more, increase the second decimal digit (4) by 1, giving 7.85.

Question 18Number

A number is increased by 20% and the result is 72. What was the original number?

  1. 86.4
  2. 62
  3. 57.6
  4. 60 Correct answer.

Explanation

If the original number is x, then 1.2x = 72. Dividing both sides by 1.2 gives x = 60. Check: 20% of 60 is 12, and 60 + 12 = 72.

Question 19Number

Simplify (2³)² × 2⁻¹, leaving your answer as a power of 2.

  1. 2⁷
  2. 2⁶
  3. 2⁵ Correct answer.
  4. 2⁴

Explanation

First apply the power of a power rule: (2³)² = 2^(3×2) = 2⁶. Then multiply by 2⁻¹ by adding indices: 2⁶ × 2⁻¹ = 2^(6−1) = 2⁵.

Question 20Number

The number 360 is written as a product of its prime factors. What is the correct form?

  1. 2² × 3² × 5
  2. 2³ × 3 × 5
  3. 2² × 3³ × 5
  4. 2³ × 3² × 5 Correct answer.

Explanation

Divide 360 repeatedly by prime numbers: 360 = 2 × 180 = 2² × 90 = 2³ × 45. Then 45 = 3 × 15 = 3² × 5. So 360 = 2³ × 3² × 5.

Question 21Number

A sum of $2000 is invested at 5% simple interest per year. What is the total amount after 3 years?

  1. $2315.25
  2. $2150
  3. $300
  4. $2300 Correct answer.

Explanation

Simple interest is I = PRT/100 = (2000 × 5 × 3)/100 = $300. The total amount is the principal plus interest: $2000 + $300 = $2300.

Question 22Number

The temperature of a liquid is 35°C. It is heated until its temperature is 50°C. What is the percentage increase in temperature?

  1. 15%
  2. 50%
  3. 42.9% Correct answer.
  4. 30%

Explanation

The increase is 50 − 35 = 15°C. The percentage increase is (increase ÷ original) × 100 = (15 ÷ 35) × 100 ≈ 42.9%.

Question 23Number

If x = 2 × 10³ and y = 4 × 10⁻², what is x ÷ y in standard form?

  1. 5 × 10⁴ Correct answer.
  2. 8 × 10¹
  3. 5 × 10³
  4. 5 × 10⁵

Explanation

Divide the coefficients: 2 ÷ 4 = 0.5. Subtract the indices: 10³ ÷ 10⁻² = 10^(3−(−2)) = 10⁵. So x ÷ y = 0.5 × 10⁵ = 5 × 10⁴ in standard form.

Question 24Number

A sum of money is invested at a rate of 4% per year compound interest. After 2 years, the investment is worth $2704. What was the original sum?

  1. $2400
  2. $2800
  3. $2500 Correct answer.
  4. $2600

Explanation

Let the principal be P. After 2 years, P × (1.04)² = 2704. Since 1.04² = 1.0816, P = 2704 ÷ 1.0816 = 2500. Check: 2500 × 1.04² = 2704.

Question 25Number

The number 0.0003060 is written in standard form. Which of the following is correct?

  1. 3.06 × 10⁻³
  2. 3.06 × 10⁻⁴ Correct answer.
  3. 30.6 × 10⁻⁵
  4. 3.060 × 10⁻⁴

Explanation

Move the decimal point four places to the right to get 3.06, so the exponent is −4. The trailing zero after 6 is not significant in this context, so the standard form is 3.06 × 10⁻⁴. Option 1 is numerically the same but includes a non-significant trailing zero, which is not usual in standard form.

Question 26Number

Which of the following is an irrational number?

  1. 0.333... (recurring)
  2. √2 Correct answer.
  3. √9
  4. 22/7

Explanation

An irrational number cannot be expressed as a fraction of two integers and its decimal expansion is non-terminating and non-recurring. √2 is the classic example, while √9 = 3, 0.333... = 1/3, and 22/7 is a rational approximation of π, hence all are rational.

Question 27Number

What is the value of the digit 7 in the number 3.472?

  1. 7 thousandths
  2. 7 tenths
  3. 7 hundredths Correct answer.
  4. 7 units

Explanation

In the decimal 3.472, the digits after the decimal point represent tenths, hundredths, and thousandths in order. The 4 is in the tenths place, the 7 is in the hundredths place, and the 2 is in the thousandths place, so the 7 represents 7 hundredths.

Question 28Number

Which of the following is the correct order of operations for evaluating 2 + 3 × 4²?

  1. Square 4, multiply by 3, then add 2. Correct answer.
  2. Square 2, add 3, then multiply by 4.
  3. Multiply 3 by 4, square the result, then add 2.
  4. Add 2 and 3, multiply by 4, then square the result.

Explanation

The order of operations requires evaluating indices (powers) before multiplication and division, and those before addition and subtraction. So first square 4 to get 16, then multiply by 3 to get 48, and finally add 2 to obtain 50.

Question 29Number

What is the highest common factor (HCF) of 24 and 36?

  1. 6
  2. 72
  3. 18
  4. 12 Correct answer.

Explanation

The highest common factor is the largest number that divides exactly into both 24 and 36. Listing factors: 24 has factors 1,2,3,4,6,8,12,24; 36 has 1,2,3,4,6,9,12,18,36. The largest common factor is 12.

Question 30Number

Which of the following is the correct prime factorisation of 84?

  1. 2 × 3 × 14
  2. 4 × 21
  3. 2³ × 3 × 7
  4. 2² × 3 × 7 Correct answer.

Explanation

A prime factorisation expresses the number as a product of prime numbers only. Starting with 84 = 2 × 42 = 2 × 2 × 21 = 2 × 2 × 3 × 7, we get 2² × 3 × 7, which are all primes.

Question 31Number

What is 0.75 expressed as a fraction in its simplest form?

  1. 7/5
  2. 75/100
  3. 3/4 Correct answer.
  4. 15/20

Explanation

0.75 means 75 hundredths, so it can be written as 75/100. Dividing numerator and denominator by 25 gives 3/4, which is the simplest form.

Question 32Number

A number is written as 3.6 × 10⁻³. What is this number in decimal form?

  1. 0.36
  2. 0.0036 Correct answer.
  3. 3600
  4. 0.036

Explanation

The exponent −3 means the decimal point in 3.6 is moved three places to the left. Starting with 3.6, moving one place gives 0.36, two places gives 0.036, and three places gives 0.0036.

Question 33Number

Evaluate (2/3) ÷ (4/9), giving your answer in simplest form.

  1. 1/2
  2. 2/3
  3. 3/2 Correct answer.
  4. 8/27

Explanation

Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal. So (2/3) ÷ (4/9) = (2/3) × (9/4) = 18/12 = 3/2. The answer is already in simplest form.

Question 34Number

Express the recurring decimal 0.\overline{3} as a fraction in its simplest form.

  1. 1/3 Correct answer.
  2. 33/100
  3. 1/30
  4. 3/10

Explanation

Let x = 0.333..., then 10x = 3.333... Subtracting gives 9x = 3, so x = 3/9 = 1/3. This is the exact fraction for the recurring decimal.

Question 35Number

Which of the following is the set of prime numbers between 20 and 30?

  1. 21, 23, 29
  2. 23, 27, 29
  3. 21, 23, 25, 27, 29
  4. 23, 29 Correct answer.

Explanation

A prime number has exactly two distinct factors: 1 and itself. Between 20 and 30, the numbers 23 and 29 are prime; 21, 25 and 27 are composite, and 22, 24, 26, 28 are even.

Question 36Number

What is the value of 2⁻³ expressed as a fraction?

  1. −1/8
  2. 1/8 Correct answer.
  3. −8
  4. 8

Explanation

A negative index means the reciprocal of the positive power: 2⁻³ = 1/(2³) = 1/8. The result is positive because the base 2 is positive.

Question 37Number

A recipe uses flour and sugar in the ratio 5:2. If 350 g of flour is used, how much sugar is needed?

  1. 100 g
  2. 140 g Correct answer.
  3. 175 g
  4. 245 g

Explanation

The ratio 5:2 means for every 5 parts flour there are 2 parts sugar. One part is 350 ÷ 5 = 70 g, so sugar is 2 × 70 = 140 g.

Question 38Number

A jacket is priced at $80. In a sale, the price is reduced by 15%. What is the sale price?

  1. $68 Correct answer.
  2. $12
  3. $92
  4. $65

Explanation

A 15% reduction means the customer pays 85% of the original price. 85% of $80 is 0.85 × 80 = $68.

Question 39Number

Which of the following is the value of (3/4) × (8/9) in simplest form?

  1. 2/3 Correct answer.
  2. 11/13
  3. 3/4
  4. 24/36

Explanation

Multiply numerators and denominators: (3×8)/(4×9) = 24/36. Simplifying by dividing both by 12 gives 2/3.

Question 40Number

The number 0.00045 is written in standard form. Which of the following is correct?

  1. 45 × 10⁻⁵
  2. 4.5 × 10³
  3. 4.5 × 10⁻³
  4. 4.5 × 10⁻⁴ Correct answer.

Explanation

Standard form is a × 10ⁿ where 1 ≤ a < 10. Moving the decimal point 4 places to the right gives 4.5, so the index is −4: 4.5 × 10⁻⁴.

Question 41Number

A number is written as 5.04 × 10⁻² in standard form. What is this number written as an ordinary decimal?

  1. 0.0504 Correct answer.
  2. 0.504
  3. 0.00504
  4. 504

Explanation

The index −2 means the digits 5.04 must be divided by 10 twice, so the decimal point moves two places to the left from 5.04. Moving two places gives 0.0504. This is a small number, which is consistent with a negative index.

Question 42Number

A car travels 240 km on 18 litres of fuel. What is the fuel consumption in km per litre, correct to 3 significant figures?

  1. 12.0
  2. 0.0750
  3. 13.4
  4. 13.3 Correct answer.

Explanation

Fuel consumption in km per litre is found by dividing distance by litres: 240 ÷ 18 = 13.333… Rounding to 3 significant figures gives 13.3, since the fourth digit is 3 and so the third digit stays the same.

Question 43Number

A sum of money is shared between Amara, Ben and Chen in the ratio 3 : 5 : 7. Chen receives $96 more than Amara. How much money is shared in total?

  1. $360
  2. $240
  3. $384 Correct answer.
  4. $288

Explanation

The difference between Chen's share and Amara's share is 7 − 3 = 4 parts, and this equals $96, so one part is $24. The total is 3 + 5 + 7 = 15 parts, giving 15 × $24 = $360. Checking: Amara gets $72, Ben $120 and Chen $168, and indeed 168 − 72 = 96.

Question 44Number

The number N = 2⁴ × 3² × 5 is given in prime factorisation. Which of the following statements about N is true?

  1. N is divisible by 16 but not by 9.
  2. N has exactly 30 factors in total.
  3. N is a perfect square because every index in its prime factorisation is even.
  4. N is a multiple of 45 and also of 16. Correct answer.

Explanation

N = 16 × 9 × 5 = 720. Since 45 = 9 × 5 and 16 both divide 720, N is a multiple of each of them. The other statements fail: the index of 5 is 1 (odd), so N is not a perfect square, and 720 is divisible by 9.

Question 45Algebra

Simplify 5a + 3b - 2a + 7b.

  1. 3a + 4b
  2. 7a + 10b
  3. 7a + 4b
  4. 3a + 10b Correct answer.

Explanation

Collect like terms separately: 5a - 2a = 3a and 3b + 7b = 10b. Unlike terms cannot be combined further, so the simplified expression is 3a + 10b.

Question 46Algebra

Expand 3(2x - 5).

  1. 6x - 5
  2. 6x - 15 Correct answer.
  3. 2x - 15
  4. 6x + 15

Explanation

Multiply each term inside the bracket by 3: 3 × 2x = 6x and 3 × (-5) = -15. The expansion is therefore 6x - 15.

Question 47Algebra

Solve the equation 4x - 7 = 21.

  1. x = 28
  2. x = 7 Correct answer.
  3. x = 14
  4. x = 3.5

Explanation

Add 7 to both sides to get 4x = 28, then divide both sides by 4 to obtain x = 7. Substituting back gives 28 - 7 = 21, which checks.

Question 48Algebra

Factorise fully 6x + 9.

  1. 2(3x + 9)
  2. 3(2x + 9)
  3. 3(2x + 3) Correct answer.
  4. 6(x + 9)

Explanation

The highest common factor of 6x and 9 is 3. Dividing each term by 3 gives 2x + 3, so the factorised form is 3(2x + 3).

Question 49Algebra

A straight line has equation y = 3x - 4. What is the gradient of the line?

  1. 3 Correct answer.
  2. -4
  3. 4
  4. -3

Explanation

In the form y = mx + c, the coefficient m is the gradient and c is the y-intercept. Here m = 3, so the gradient is 3, while -4 is the intercept.

Question 50Algebra

What is the value of 2^3 × 2^4 expressed as a single power of 2?

  1. 2^12
  2. 2^1
  3. 4^7
  4. 2^7 Correct answer.

Explanation

When multiplying powers with the same base, add the indices: 3 + 4 = 7, giving 2^7. The base stays the same and the indices are added, not multiplied.