WASSCE Number & Algebra Questions for Ghanaian SHS Students
Number and Algebra carries the most marks in WASSCE Core Mathematics. Under the New NaCCA Curriculum, Ghanaian SHS students are expected to work confidently with indices, surds, logarithms, ratio and proportion, variation, sequences, and linear and quadratic equations. The questions below are drawn from the SHSMathPro question bank and are written in a Ghanaian context — cedis, market prices, transport fares and school data — so the algebra feels familiar rather than abstract.
What WASSCE tests in Number & Algebra
- Indices and standard form
- Surds and logarithms
- Ratio, rate, proportion and percentage
- Direct, inverse, joint and partial variation
- Linear equations and simultaneous equations
- Quadratic equations, factorisation and the formula
- Sequences, series and patterns
- Relations, functions and mappings
Sample Number & Algebra practice questions
192 Number & Algebra questions are currently in the SHSMathPro question bank. Answers and step-by-step solutions are shown inside the quiz.
1. z varies jointly as x and y. When x = 2 and y = 3, z = 24. Find z when x = 5 and y = 2.
- A. 40
- B. 60
- C. 30
- D. 48
SHS 3
2. P varies inversely as Q. When Q = 6, P = 10. Find P when Q = 15.
- A. 25
- B. 6
- C. 9
- D. 4
SHS 3
3. What is the maximum value of y = −x² + 6x − 5?
- A. 4
- B. 3
- C. −5
- D. 9
SHS 3
4. y varies directly as the square of x. When x = 3, y = 36. Find y when x = 5.
- A. 60
- B. 20
- C. 100
- D. 180
SHS 3
5. y varies directly as x. When x = 4, y = 20. Find y when x = 7.
- A. 28
- B. 140
- C. 35
- D. 25
SHS 3
6. y is partly constant and partly varies as x, so y = a + bx. When x = 1, y = 7 and when x = 3, y = 13. Find the values of a and b.
- A. a = 3, b = 4
- B. a = 4, b = 3
- C. a = 7, b = 2
- D. a = 1, b = 6
SHS 3
Number & Algebra: common questions
- Is Number & Algebra always in the WASSCE Core Maths paper?
- Yes. Every WASSCE Core Mathematics paper contains algebra items — commonly indices, logarithms, variation, sequences and equations — across both the objective and essay sections.
- How should SHS 1 students start with algebra?
- Start with indices, surds and simple linear equations, then move to simultaneous and quadratic equations. Practising ten mixed questions a day on SHSMathPro is enough to build accuracy and speed.
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