Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning
Core topics
Number operations and order of operations (BODMAS), fractions/decimals/percentages, ratio and proportion, averages, profit and loss, simple interest, speed–distance–time, work rates, basic algebra and equations, angles and simple geometry, area and perimeter, and quantitative reasoning (number series, letter/number analogies, coding, and pattern completion).
Traps to expect
- Percentage direction: "increased by 20% then decreased by 20%" does not return to the original value (net loss of 4%).
- Ratio ordering: confirm which quantity comes first before dividing.
- Average vs total: average = total ÷ count; many questions give the average and ask for the total.
- Units: convert minutes to hours, kobo to naira, cm to m before computing.
- Series traps: check differences, then differences-of-differences, then ratios before assuming a simple pattern.
Rule of thumb
Write the knowns, write the unknown, and pick the formula that links them. Estimate the answer first; if your computed value is far from the estimate, recheck the arithmetic.
Worked example (percentage)
A trader buys an item for ₦2,500 and sells it for ₦3,000. Profit = ₦500. Profit percent = (500 ÷ 2500) × 100 = 20%. Note the base is the cost price, not the selling price - a common trap.
Worked example (series)
2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ? - differences are 4, 6, 8, 10, so the next difference is 12 → 42.