Mathematics Exam Questions for SS2 First Term with Answers

You’re welcome to our school exams series where we provide you with termly examination questions in different subjects. In today’s post, we will focus on Mathematics exam questions. We will cover Mathematics exam questions for SS2 First term with answers. This means that we’ll be providing you with answers to the questions at the end. Also, you will get a few success tips on how to pass Mathematics examinations with flying colors. Remember to use the comments sections if you have questions, and don’t forget to join our Free Online Tutorial Classes on YouTube. (Subscribe to the Channel)

Introduction to Mathematics as a School Subject

Before we venture into Past Mathematics Exam Questions for SS2 First term, here’s a brief introduction to the subject:

Mathematics is one of the most important subjects taught in schools because it forms the foundation for logical reasoning, problem-solving, and analytical thinking. It deals with numbers, shapes, measurements, and the relationships between them. Mathematics is not only a subject on its own but also a language through which scientific and technological ideas are expressed.

In school, students learn Mathematics to develop accuracy, creativity, and confidence in handling real-life situations. It helps them to make sound judgments, plan effectively, and interpret data correctly. The study of Mathematics also prepares learners for further studies in science, engineering, finance, and many other fields that contribute to national development.

Mathematics Exam Questions for SS2 First Term

Mathematics Exam Questions for SS2 First Term are divided into two sections:

• Section A
• Section B

The first section, namely, Section A is the objective test, and students are expected to attempt all questions in the section. Section B is the theory part, and students are expected to follow specific instruction and answer the required number of questions.

Note that what you have below are SS2 Mathematics First Term Exam Past Questions made available to assist students in their revision for 1st term examinations and also teachers in structuring standard examinations.

SECTION A: Objective Test

Instruction: Answer all questions in this section by choosing from the options lettered A—D. Each question carries equal marks.

SECTION A — OBJECTIVE (60 MARKS)

1. If a = 3 and b = -2, what is the value of a² + 2ab + b²?
   A. 1          B. 9
   C. 4          D. 13
2. Which of the following is the sum to infinity of the geometric progression 6, 3, 1.5, … ?
   A. 9           B. 12
   C. 18         D. 6
3. Evaluate 2³ × 2^-1.
   A. 1          B. 2
   C. 4          D. 8
4.  The first term of an AP is 5 and the common difference is 3. The 10th term is:
   A. 32        B. 29
   C. 35        D. 27
5. If log₁₀ 2 = 0.3010 and log₁₀ 5 = 0.6990, then log₁₀ 20 equals:
   A. 1.0000        B. 0.6980
   C. 1.3010         D. 0.3010
6. Simplify: (3⁄4) × (2⁄5) × 5⁄6.
   A. 1⁄4         B. 1⁄2
   C. 1⁄5         D. 3⁄10
7. Solve for x: 2x + 3 = 11.
   A. 4          B. 7
   C. 2          D. 5
8. If the sum of the first three terms of a GP is 14 and the first term is 2, the common ratio r satisfies:
   A. 2 + 2r + 2r² = 14
   B. 2 + r + r² = 14
   C. 2r + 2r² + 2r³ = 14
   D. r + r² + r³ = 14
9. The product of the roots of x² – 5x + 6 = 0 is:
   A. 6         B. 5
   C. -6       D. 1
10. A survey yields measured length 50.0 cm with a possible absolute error of 0.2 cm. The percentage error is:
    A. 0.4%       B. 0.2%
    C. 0.1%       D. 4%
11. If f(x) = 2x – 3, then f(4) equals:
    A. 5         B. 8
    C. 1         D. -5
12. Which of the following fractions is in lowest terms?
    A. 12⁄18        B. 9⁄16
    C. 14⁄28        D. 6⁄15
13. 13. Solve for x: x(x – 4) = 0.
    A. x = 0 or 4
    B. x = 2 or -2
    C. x = 0 only
    D. x = 4 only
14. If two lines are perpendicular, and one has gradient 3, the gradient of the other is:
    A. -1⁄3          B. 1⁄3
    C. -3           D. 3
15. The sum of the first n terms of an AP is S_n = n(3n + 1). The 5th term is:
    A. 31        B. 28
    C. 5          D. 16
16. Which identity is correct?
    A. (a + b)² = a² – 2ab + b²
    B. (a – b)² = a² – 2ab + b²
    C. (a + b)(a – b) = a² + b²
    D. (a + b)² = a² + b + b²
17. If 3x – 2y = 6 and x = 4, then y equals:
    A. 3         B. 0
    C. -1        D. 6
18. The infinite sum of the GP 8, 4, 2, … is:
    A. 16          B. 8
    C. 24          D. Diverges
19. Simplify: (x³ × x^-1) ÷ x.
    A. x         B. x²
    C. 1         D. x³
20. If the nth term of an AP is 7 + 3(n – 1), the 12th term is:
    A. 40         B. 43
    C. 46         D. 37
21. Which of the following is a factor of x² – 9?
    A. x + 3        B. x + 9
    C. x – 1         D. x – 6
22. Solve: log₁₀ (100) = ?
    A. 1         B. 2
    C. 10       D. 0
23. The distance between (2, 3) and (5, 7) is:
    A. 5               B. √(25)
    C. √(20)        D. 6
24. If 1⁄x + 1⁄y = 1⁄6 and x = 12, then y equals:
    A. 12       B. 6
    C. 4         D. 3
25. Simplify: (2x – 4) ÷ 2.
    A. x – 2         B. x – 4
    C. 2x – 2       D. x + 2
26. What is the discriminant of x² – 4x + 1 = 0?
    A. 12        B. 16
    C. 0          D. -12
27. If the common ratio of a GP is -2 and the first term is 3, the 4th term is:
    A. -24        B. 24
    C. -12        D. 48
28. Which of the following gives the gradient of the line through (1, 2) and (3, 8)?
    A. 3        B. 2
    C. 6        D. 4
29. Solve for x: 5(2x – 1) = 25.
    A. 3           B. 2.6
    C. 2.5        D. 3.5
30. Which of these is the value of 4⁰?
    A. 0       B. 1
    C. 4       D. Undefined
31. The 3rd term of a GP is 18 and the 1st term is 8. The common ratio r satisfies:
    A. 8r² = 18       B. 8r = 18
    C. r³ = 18         D. r = 18
32. If x + y = 10 and x – y = 2, then x equals:
    A. 4         B. 6
    C. 5         D. 8
33. Which fraction is equal to 0.125?
    A. 1⁄8        B. 1⁄4
    C. 1⁄16       D. 3⁄8
34. Expand (x + 2)(x – 5).
    A. x² – 3x – 10
    B. x² – 3x + 10
    C. x² – 10
    D. x² – 10x + 2
35. If log₁₀ x = 2, then x =
    A. 10           B. 100
    C. 1000       D. 2
36. The product 0.25 × 0.4 equals:
    A. 0.10        B. 0.01
    C. 0.1          D. 0.04
37. Which is an extraneous solution of (x – 1)(x – 2) = 0?
    A. x = 1         B. x = 2
    C. None         D. Both
38. The equation of the line with gradient 2 passing through (0, 3) is:
    A. y = 2x + 3
    B. y = 3x + 2
    C. y = 2x – 3
    D. y = -2x + 3
39. If the sum of three consecutive even integers is 48, the middle integer is:
    A. 16       B. 14
    C. 12       D. 10
40. Simplify: (x – 3) + (3 – x).
    A. 0        B. x
    C. 6        D. -6
41. Which of the following is true about the sequence defined by a_n = 2n + 1?
    A. It is arithmetic.
    B. It is geometric.
    C. It is constant.
    D. It is quadratic.
42. If x = 2 is a root of x³ – 5x² + kx – 8 = 0, then k equals:
    A. 1         B. 2
    C. 3         D. 4
43. The least common multiple (LCM) of 12 and 18 is:
    A. 36        B. 54
    C. 12        D. 6
44. Which is the correct value of (1⁄2) + (1⁄3)?
    A. 5⁄6         B. 1
    C. 2⁄5         D. 3⁄6
45. Solve: x² = 49.
    A. x = 7 only
    B. x = -7 only
    C. x = ±7
    D. x = 0
46. If sin θ = 0 for 0 ≤ θ < 360°, which value of θ is valid?
    A. 90°        B. 180°
    C. 270°      D. 0°
47. Which expression represents the sum of the first n terms of the AP with first term a and common difference d?
    A. S_n = n[2a + (n – 1)d]⁄2
    B. S_n = n(a + d)
    C. S_n = na + nd
    D. S_n = (a + l)n
48. The solution set of 2x – 7 < 1 is:
    A. x < 4       B. x > 4
    C. x < 3       D. x > 3
49. If the terms of a GP are 5, -10, 20, …, then the common ratio is:
    A. -2          B. 2
    C. -5          D. 4
50. Which of these is a solution to 3x + 2y = 12 when x = 2?
    A. y = 3        B. y = 6
    C. y = 4        D. y = 2
51. Express 0.002 in standard form.
    A. 2 × 10^-3
    B. 2 × 10^-2
    C. 2 × 10^-4
    D. 2 × 10³
52. The midpoint of the line joining (4, 1) and (10, 7) is:
    A. (7, 4)       B. (6, 3)
    C. (5, 4)       D. (7, 1)
53. Simplify: (x² – y²) ÷ (x – y).
    A. x + y         B. x – y
    C. x² + y²        D. 1
54. If a rectangle has length 12 cm and breadth 5 cm, its area is:
    A. 60 cm²          B. 17 cm²
    C. 24 cm²          D. 120 cm²
55. The equation x – 4 = 0 has root:
    A. 4        B. -4
    C. 0        D. 1
56. If 2^m = 32, then m equals:
    A. 5         B. 4
    C. 6         D. 10
57. Find the next term in the sequence: 2, 6, 18, 54, …
    A. 108       B. 162
    C. 216       D. 72
58. Which of the following is an identity?
    A. (a + b)² = a² + 2ab + b²
    B. a² + b = (a + b)²
    C. (a – b)³ = a³ – b³
    D. a(b + c) = ab + c
59. If the sum of two numbers is 10 and their product is 21, the numbers are:
    A. 3 and 7
    B. 1 and 21
    C. 4 and 6
    D. 2 and 8
60. Which of these statements is true for all real x?
    A. x² ≥ 0
    B. x ≥ 0
    C. x ≤ 1
    D. x is integer

Read Also: Mathematics Exam Questions for SS1 First Term with Answers

SECTION B: Essay / Theory

INSTRUCTION – Answer only five (5) questions in this section. Write your answers clearly and show working where necessary.

1. Using logarithm laws, solve the equation 3^x = 7 × 3^{2x – 1}.
2. The first term of an AP is 4 and the sum of the first 20 terms is 640. Find the common difference and determine the 20th term.
3. A ball is thrown and its height h metres after t seconds is given by h = -5t² + 20t + 2.
   (a) Find the time when the ball reaches maximum height.
   (b) Find the maximum height.
   (c) For what times is h = 2?
4. Solve by any method: x² + 3x – 10 = 0. Then verify your answers by substitution.
5. The line L passes through points A(1, 2) and B(4, 11).
   (a) Find the equation of L in the form y = mx + c.
   (b) Find the equation of the line perpendicular to L and passing through (4, 11).
6. A geometric progression has first term 5 and sum of first 4 terms 155. Find the common ratio and the 6th term. Show all working and justify any steps.
7. (a) Simplify the algebraic fraction (3x² – 12) ÷ (3x – 6).
   (b) State any values of x for which the expression is undefined. Show full steps.

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Answers to Mathematics Exam Questions for SS2 First Term

Answers to Section A (Objective Test)

The following table gives the correct answers to the objective section of Mathematics exam questions for SS2 First term. If you are using a mobile device, hold the table and scroll to the right or left for a complete view.

So here you have the answers to the objective section of Mathematics Exam Questions for SS2 First term. Use the comments section to let me know if you have any questions you would want me to clarify or discuss further.

Answers to Section B (Theory)

1. Given: 3^x = 7 × 3^{2x − 1}.

Divide both sides by 3^{2x − 1}:

(3^x) / (3^{2x − 1}) = 7

Using laws of indices: 3^{x − (2x − 1)} = 7

Therefore, 3^{1 − x} = 7

Take logarithm of both sides:

(1 − x) log 3 = log 7

Hence, 1 − x = log 7 / log 3

x = 1 − (log 7 / log 3) or x = 1 − log₃7

2. Given: a = 4, n = 20, S₂₀ = 640

Formula: S_n = (n / 2) [2a + (n − 1)d]

Substitute values: 640 = (20 / 2) [2(4) + 19d]

640 = 10(8 + 19d)

64 = 8 + 19d

19d = 56

d = 56 / 19

a₂₀ = a + (20 − 1)d = 4 + 19 × (56 / 19) = 4 + 56 = 60

3. Given: h = −5t² + 20t + 2

(a) Maximum height occurs at t = −b / (2a)

a = −5, b = 20 ⇒ t = −20 / (2 × −5) = 2 seconds

(b) Substitute t = 2 into equation:

h = −5(2)² + 20(2) + 2 = −20 + 40 + 2 = 22 m

(c) When h = 2: −5t² + 20t + 2 = 2

−5t² + 20t = 0

−5t(t − 4) = 0 ⇒ t = 0 or 4

Therefore: maximum at t = 2 s, height = 22 m, h = 2 when t = 0 s or t = 4 s.

4. x² + 3x − 10 = 0

Factorization: (x + 5)(x − 2) = 0

So, x = −5 or x = 2

Verification:

For x = −5 → (−5)² + 3(−5) − 10 = 0

For x = 2 → 2² + 3(2) − 10 = 0

5. Given A(1, 2), B(4, 11)

Gradient m = (11 − 2) / (4 − 1) = 9 / 3 = 3

Equation: y = mx + c ⇒ 2 = 3(1) + c ⇒ c = −1

Equation of L: y = 3x − 1

Perpendicular slope = −1/3

Through (4, 11): y − 11 = −(1/3)(x − 4)

y = −(1/3)x + 4/3 + 11 = −(1/3)x + 37/3

Equation of perpendicular line: y = −(1/3)x + 37/3

6. Given: a = 5, S₄ = 155

S₄ = a(1 + r + r² + r³)

5(1 + r + r² + r³) = 155

1 + r + r² + r³ = 31

⇒ r³ + r² + r + 1 − 31 = 0

r³ + r² + r − 30 = 0

The real root (by numerical method) is approximately r ≈ 2.71

a₆ = a × r⁵ = 5 × (2.71)⁵ ≈ 732.9

Hence, common ratio ≈ 2.71, 6th term ≈ 732.9

7. Simplify: (3x² − 12) ÷ (3x − 6)

= [3(x² − 4)] / [3(x − 2)]

= [3(x − 2)(x + 2)] / [3(x − 2)]

Cancel (x − 2): result = x + 2

Expression undefined when denominator = 0 ⇒ 3x − 6 = 0 ⇒ x = 2

Therefore, simplified expression = x + 2 (for x ≠ 2)

How to Pass Mathematics Exam Questions for SS2 First Term

Passing your Mathematics exam questions for SS2 First term requires a combination of preparation, understanding, and strategy. Here are actionable tips to help you excel:

1. Master the Scheme of Work

Start by going through your SS2 first term Mathematics scheme of work. Topics like logarithms, quadratic equations, arithmetic and geometric progressions, coordinate geometry, and variations often form the core of your exams. Make sure you understand what each topic covers before you start solving questions.

2. Understand, Don’t Cram

Many students fail Mathematics because they try to memorize steps instead of understanding concepts. Take time to know why each formula works and how it is applied. Once you understand, you can solve any question — even when it’s presented in a different way.

3. Practice Regularly

Mathematics requires constant practice. Solve questions from your class notes, past exam papers, and textbooks. The more you practice, the more confident and accurate you’ll become. Always time yourself while practicing so that you can improve your speed during exams.

4. Learn to Show Your Working

During exams, always write down each step clearly. Even when your final answer is wrong, your teacher can still award marks for correct methods. Avoid skipping steps because Mathematics exam marking schemes often reward process more than answers.

5. Avoid Common Mistakes

Be careful with signs, brackets, and transposition. A small error can change the entire result. Check your work for simple arithmetic and substitution errors before submitting your answer script.

6. Review Logarithm and Indices Laws

These topics are common in SS2 first term exams. Memorize the laws and practice questions involving them. Understanding how to apply logarithms and indices will make questions on equations and exponents easier for you.

7. Ask Questions and Work with Others

If you find any topic difficult, don’t keep quiet. Ask your teacher or classmates to explain. Studying in groups can help you understand different solving methods and correct your weak areas.

8. Maintain a Positive Mindset

Never say “Mathematics is too hard.” Confidence affects performance. Always tell yourself, “I can do this,” and back it up with consistent effort. With faith, focus, and discipline, you will pass your SS2 first term Mathematics exam with excellent grades.

Remember, success in Mathematics doesn’t come by magic — it comes by daily understanding and steady practice.

It’s a wrap!

If you need more clarification on SS2 First Term Questions on Mathematics, you can use the comments box below. We’ll be there to answer you asap. Don’t forget to join our Free Online Tutorial Classes on YouTube. (Subscribe to the Channel)

Best wishes.