paragraph

Introduction to the simplification

of surds questions in Waec
paragraph

In this tutorial, How to simplify Waec surds questions will be explicitly explained
here. Simplification of surds has always been the simplest topic in mathematics(my
opinion tho). Surds questions in Waec, Jamb(Utme), Putme are all the same and can
be tackled by understanding some basic principles which I will be revealing as we
progress.
paragraph

Also, most of the questions I will be using as examples will all be Waec past
questions. This is to show that Waec surd questions are very easy, you can even tackle
them with your eyes closed(Lol).
paragraph

The table of content is carefully arranged so as enable you can comprehend how to
WAEC surd questions.
paragraph

check my tutorial on how to solve linear equations in one variable here

paragraph

With that being said let's dive right in but first get your writing materials and a glass
of juice if you like. MATH IS FUN.
paragraph

What are surds(how to simplify

surd)
paragraph

Surds are irrational numbers expressed in their root form. It simply means that when
the root of a particular number gives a number with non-recurring decimals, that
number with its root(take note) is a surd.
paragraph

Also, when the root of a number can be simplified, it is not a surd. But when
simplification seems impossible unless been done with a calculator, then it is a surd.
paragraph

Let's check out examples of root expressions that are surd:

paragraph

1. 44 : Is this a surd or not? The square root of 4 is not a surd. The reason
for this is that the square root of 4 is an integer(2). The square root of 4
gives a number (2) that does not have a non-recurring decimal(meaning
the number is not irrational). When the square root of an expression is
irrational, meaning having decimals that are non-recurring, only then is
the expression a surd.
paragraph

Therefore, 44 is not a surd.

paragraph
 2. 33: Is this a surd or not? The square root of 3 is a surd. The reason for
this is that the square root of 3 is 1.7320508.... This is an irrational
number because of the presence of non-recurring decimal numbers in
the result.
paragraph

3. 125251 Is this a surd or not? The square root of 125251 is not a surd.
The reason for this is because the square root
of 125251 is 1551 further simplification gives 0.2. This decimal is
rational to take note of.
paragraph

4. 116161 is not a surd.

paragraph

5. 125251 is not a surd.

paragraph

6. 88 is a surd.
paragraph

7. 66 is a surd.
paragraph

8. 99 is not a surd.
paragraph

9. 100100 is not a surd.

paragraph

10. 0.250.25 is not a surd.

paragraph

How to simplify surd questions in

Waec 2023
paragraph

Simplification of surds requires you to know the rules guiding surd reduction,
addition, subtraction, multiplication and surd division.
paragraph
paragraph
1. Surd Reduction(How to simplify
surd)
paragraph

Surd expression can be reduced by expressing the surd expression as the products of a
perfect square and a number.
paragraph

Mathematically: 𝑎=𝑏×𝑐a=b×c where b must be a prefect square and c can be any

integer
paragraph

Example: simplify 4848,

paragraph

first, we check out the highest perfect square that is a factor of 48.
paragraph

Perfect squares that are factors of 48 are 4 and 16. Since 16 is the greatest of the two,
we express 48 as a product of 16 and 3.
paragraph

Therefore, 48=16×348=16×3,
paragraph

This can be simplified further to;

paragraph

48=16×348=16×3
paragraph

Since the square root of 16 is 4, we can therefore write that:

paragraph

48=4×348=4×3
paragraph

Final answer becomes

paragraph

48=4348=43
paragraph

2. Surd Addition(how to simplify

surd)
paragraph

Only surds having the same root can be added together. Surds can be added by simply
adding up the coefficient of the root.
paragraph

Mathematically,
paragraph

𝑐𝑎+𝑏𝑎=(𝑐+𝑏)𝑎ca+ba=(c+b)a, where c and b are the coefficient of the root.

Please note that before you add up surds, the root must be the same.
paragraph

Simplify: 55+6555+65
paragraph

This becomes; 55 +65=(5+6) 555 +65=(5+6) 5

paragraph

Finally, 55 +65=11555 +65=115

paragraph

3. Surd Subtraction(how to
simplify surd)
paragraph

Only surds having the same roots can be subtracted from each expression. Surds can
be subtracted by subtracting the coefficient of their roots.
paragraph
Mathematically,
paragraph

𝑐𝑎 −𝑏𝑎=(𝑐−𝑏)𝑎ca −ba=(c−b)a, where c and b are the coefficient of the root.

Please note that before you add up surds, the root must be the same.
paragraph

Simplify: 2 −72 2 −72

paragraph

This becomes; 2−75=(1−7) 22−75=(1−7) 2

paragraph

Finally, 5−75=−655−75=−65
paragraph

4. Surd Multiplication:(how to
simplify surd)
paragraph

(a) Multiplying surds having different roots and without coefficient;

paragraph

Mathematically 𝑎×𝑏 =𝑎×𝑏 a×b =a×b

paragraph

Simplify: 5×7 =5×7 5×7 =5×7

paragraph

Finally, 5×7 =355×7 =35

paragraph

(b) Multiplying surds having coefficients:

paragraph

Mathematically, 𝑎𝑏×𝑐𝑑 =(𝑎×𝑐)𝑏×𝑑 ab×cd =(a×c)b×d ; in this case,

coefficient multiply coefficient and surd multiply surd
paragraph

Simplify: 25×61125×611
paragraph

This becomes; 25×611 =(2×6)5×1125×611 =(2×6)5×11

paragraph

Finally, 25×611 =125525×611 =1255

paragraph

(c) Multiplying surds that are the same and without coefficient;
paragraph

Mathematically, 𝑎×𝑎 = 𝑎×𝑎=𝑎 a×a = a×a=a

paragraph

Simplify; 7×77×7
paragraph

Simplifying the above gives 7,

paragraph

Explanation: 7×7=7×7=49=77×7=7×7=49=7
paragraph

(d) Multiplying surds that are the same and with coefficient;
paragraph

Mathematically, 𝑏𝑎×𝑐𝑎 = (𝑏×𝑐)𝑎×𝑎=𝑏×𝑐×𝑎 ba×ca = (b×c)a×a=b×c×a

paragraph

Simplify; 32×4232×42
paragraph

Simplifying the above gives 24,

paragraph

Explanation: 32×42=(3×4)2×2=12×4=12×2=2432×42=(3×4)2×2=12×4
=12×2=24
paragraph

5. Surd Division:(How to simplify

surd)
paragraph
(a). Simplifying an expression with just a single surd as its denominator:
paragraph

Mathematically; 𝑎𝑐𝑏=𝑎𝑐𝑏×𝑏𝑏=𝑎𝑏𝑐𝑏bac=bac×bb=babc
paragraph

Therefore; 𝑎𝑐ac
paragraph

Simplify; 453345
paragraph

Using the principle above;

paragraph

453×33345×33
paragraph

Simplifying the numerator and denominator gives;

paragraph

45×33345×3
paragraph

Final answer = 41533415

paragraph

(b). Simplifying expression with a more complex surd at its denominator:

paragraph

Suppose we are to simplify as expression like this;

paragraph

𝑐𝑎+𝑏a+bc
paragraph

since the denominator of this expression is not a single surd, we will rationalize the
expression using the conjugate of the denominator, Let me break it down.
paragraph

First thing to do is to get the conjugate of the denominator, the denominator for this
expression is 𝑎+𝑏a+b
paragraph

The conjugate of a surd expression is simply the expression with the reverse sign in
place.
paragraph

Meaning for this expression, 𝑎+𝑏a+b, the conjugate will be 𝑎−𝑏a−b. its only the
sign that will change.
paragraph

Now, we will rationalize the expression by multiplying the numerator and

denominator by the conjugate, doing this we will have;
paragraph

𝑐𝑎+𝑏×𝑎−𝑏𝑎−𝑏a+bc×a−ba−b
paragraph

Simplifying that gives;

paragraph

𝑐(𝑎−𝑏)(𝑎+𝑏)(𝑎−𝑏)(a+b)(a−b)c(a−b)
paragraph

finally,
paragraph

𝑐𝑎−𝑐𝑏)𝑎2−𝑏a2−bca−cb)
paragraph

Solved waec past questions on

surd(how to simplify surd)
paragraph

1. Simplify: 108+125−75108+125−75 (waec 2018)

paragraph

Solution
paragraph

108+125−75108+125−75
paragraph

The first step is to perform a surd reduction on each term in the expression.
paragraph

The first term in the expression is 108108, we need to get the highest perfect
square that can divide 108 with a remainder, the perfect square for this is 36,
paragraph

Therefore, we can express 108108 as 36×336×3

paragraph

The same can be done to 125125, the highest perfect square that can divide
125 is 25.
paragraph

Therefore, 125125 as 25×525×5

paragraph

Doing the same for the third term in the expression. The highest perfect square
that can divide 75 is 25
paragraph

Therefore, 7575 as 25×325×3

paragraph

We can now rewrite the expression:108+125−75108+125−75 as

paragraph

36×3+25×5−25×336×3+25×5−25×3
paragraph

Simplifying this further gives;

paragraph

36×3+25×5+25×336×3+25×5+25×3
paragraph

Further simplification gives;

 paragraph

6×3+5×5−5×36×3+5×5−5×3
paragraph

Which can also be written as;

paragraph

63+55−5363+55−53
paragraph

Collecting like terms ;

paragraph

63−53+5563−53+55
paragraph

Since the first two terms have the same root, surd subtraction can be performed
on the two terms by simply subtract their coefficient.
paragraph

Therefore;
paragraph

(6−5)3+55(6−5)3+55
paragraph

Finally,
paragraph

3+553+55
paragraph

2. Simplify: 375−12+108375−12+108 (waec 2014)

paragraph

Solution
paragraph

The expression:
paragraph
375−12+108375−12+108
paragraph

Can be written as this

paragraph

325×3−4×3+36×3325×3−4×3+36×3
paragraph

Can be reduced further to:

paragraph

325×3−4×3+36×3325×3−4×3+36×3
paragraph

Simplifying further gives;

paragraph

3×5×3−2×3+6×33×5×3−2×3+6×3
paragraph

Now becomes;
paragraph

153−23+63153−23+63
paragraph

Since the root are the same, we can simply the coefficient of each roots to give;
paragraph

(15−2+6)3(15−2+6)3
paragraph

Simplifying the terms in the bracket gives;

paragraph

193193
paragraph

Final answer: 193193

paragraph
 3. Simplify : 35×4622×3322×3335×46(waec 2012)

Solution
paragraph

35×4622×3322×3335×46
paragraph

We are to perform surd multiplication on the numerator and denominator.

paragraph

Performing this gives;

paragraph

(3×4)5×6(2×3)2×3(2×3)2×3(3×4)5×6
paragraph

Simplifying the numerator and denominator gives;

paragraph

123066661230
paragraph

To simplify further, we rationalize the denominator by multiplying the numerator and

the denominator by the denominator.
paragraph

Therefore, we have;
paragraph

123066×6666661230×6666
paragraph

This can still be written as;

paragraph

1230×6666×6666×661230×66
paragraph

We can simplify the numerator and denominator by performing surd multiplication :

paragraph

(12×6)30×6(6×6)6×6(6×6)6×6(12×6)30×6
paragraph

Simplifying further;
paragraph

721803636363672180
paragraph

Performing a surd reduction on root 180 and reducing the denominator gives;
paragraph

7236×536×636×67236×5
paragraph

Simplify the numerator;

paragraph

7236×536×636×67236×5
paragraph

Further simplification gives;

paragraph

72×6×536×636×672×6×5
paragraph

Since 6 is present at the numerator and Denominator they cancel each other out to
give;
paragraph

72×5363672×5
paragraph

Since 36 can divide 72 to give 2, the final answer becomes;

paragraph

2525
paragraph

4. Simplify 23−63+32723−36+273 (waec 2010)

paragraph

Solution
paragraph

Surd division should be performed on the second and third term;

paragraph

Doing this gives;

paragraph

23−63×33 +327×2727 23−36×33 +273×2727

paragraph

This becomes;
paragraph
Doing this gives;
paragraph

23−6×33×3+3×2727×27 23−3×36×3+27×273×27
paragraph

Simplifying the numerator and denominator gives;

paragraph

23−6×33+3×9×327 23−36×3+273×9×3
paragraph

For the second term 3 can divide 6 to give 2, and the third term can be simplified
further to give;
paragraph

23 − 23+3×9×327 23 − 23+273×9×3
paragraph

The first and second can be simplified to give 0;

paragraph

As (2 - 2) is zero, therefore, we are left with the third term;

paragraph

3×3×327 273×3×3
paragraph

Simplifying further gives;

paragraph

93272793
paragraph

Since 9 will go in 27 three times, we have the final answer as ;

paragraph

33 33
paragraph

5. Given that (3 − 52)(3− 2)=𝑎+𝑏6(3 − 52)(3− 2)=a+b6 (waec 2009)

paragraph

Solution
paragraph

This question is quite different from the ones we have been solving but all the same,
we are to use the basic principles of surd.
paragraph

(3 − 52)(3+ 2)=𝑎+𝑏6(3 − 52)(3+ 2)=a+b6

paragraph

Let's focus on reducing the left hand side of the expression;

paragraph

(3 − 52)(3 + 2)(3 − 52)(3 + 2)

paragraph

To do bracket of parentheses expansion, we use each terms in the first bracket to

multiply the second bracket as shown below;
paragraph

3(3+2) − 52(3+2)3(3+2) − 52(3+2)

paragraph

Clearing the brackets gives:

paragraph

3×3+3×2 − 52×3 − 52×23×3+3×2 − 52×3 − 52×2

paragraph

Performing a surd multiplication on each term gives;

paragraph

3+6 − 56 − 5×23+6 − 56 − 5×2

paragraph

3+6 − 56 − 103+6 − 56 − 10
paragraph

Collecting like terms

paragraph

3−10+6 − 56 3−10+6 − 56
paragraph

Simplifying the above expression gives;

paragraph

−7−46 −7−46
paragraph

Comparing the above with 𝑎+𝑏6a+b6

paragraph

Shows that;
a = -7
b=4
paragraph

6. Simplify : 2(6+22) − 232(6+22) −

paragraph
23 (waec 2017)
Solution:
paragraph

The first thing to do is clear the brackets.

paragraph

Clearing the bracket gives;

paragraph

2×6+2×22 − 232×6+2×22 − 23
paragraph

To simplify the surd expression further, we perform surd multiplication on the first
and second term
paragraph

12+24 − 2312+24 − 23
paragraph

Performing a surd reduction on the first term while simplifying the second term gives;
paragraph

4×3+2×2 − 234×3+2×2 − 23
paragraph

Reducing the above further gives;

paragraph

4×3+4 − 234×3+4 − 23
paragraph

Therefore;
paragraph

23+4 − 2323+4 − 23
paragraph

Collecting like terms

paragraph

23 − 23+423 − 23+4
paragraph

The first and the second term can be reduced by performing a surd subtraction on
them.
paragraph

Subtracting their coefficient (2 - 2) gives 0

paragraph

Therefore, the final answer is :

paragraph

44
paragraph

7. Simplify : (1035 − 15)2(5103 − 15)2 (waec 2016)

paragraph

Solution:
paragraph

The first thing to do is to reduce the expression inside the bracket by performing a
surd division(rationalizing with the denominator) on the first term.
paragraph

Doing that gives;

paragraph

(1035×55 − 15)2(5103×55 − 15)2

paragraph

Simplifying further gives;

paragraph

(103×55×5 − 15)2(5×5103×5 − 15)2

paragraph

Performing a surd multiplication on the numerator and the denominator of the first
term gives;
paragraph

(10155 − 15)2(51015 − 15)2

paragraph

Reducing the above further gives;

paragraph

(215 − 15)2(215 − 15)2

paragraph
Therefore, since the surd have te same root, surd subtraction can be performed
paragraph

Subtracting the coefficient of the two terms gives (2 - 1) = 1

paragraph

Therefore;
paragraph

(15)2(15)2
paragraph

Squaring this expression ;

paragraph

15×1515×15
paragraph

This gives a final answer of

1515
paragraph

8. If : (2+33)(32+3) is simplified as 𝑚+𝑛6m+n6 find (m + n) (waec 2015)

paragraph

Solution:
paragraph

The first thing to do is to rationalize the expression using the Denominator.

paragraph

Doing that gives;

paragraph

(2+33×33)(32+3×33)
paragraph

Simplifying further gives;

paragraph

((2+3)×33×3)(3×3(2+3)×3)
paragraph

Performing a surd multiplication on the numerator by clearing the bracket and

simplifying the denominator gives;
paragraph

2×3+3×3332×3+3×3
paragraph

Reducing the above further gives;

paragraph

6+3336+3
paragraph

Reducing the expression further;

paragraph

63+3336+33
paragraph

Rearranging this surd to be in the form;

paragraph

𝑚+𝑛6m+n6
paragraph

Will give;
paragraph

1+1361+316
paragraph

Therefore;
paragraph

Comparing the two expression shows that

paragraph

m = 1 and n = 1331
paragraph

Calculating (m + n)
paragraph

(1+13)(1+31)
paragraph

The answer (𝑚+𝑛) =113(m+n) =131

paragraph

Final answer 113131

ECONOMICS MOCK (Data
Response & Essay).

Date: August 17, 2022Author: beaconchapterz0 Comments

1. The table below gives the cost in ₵000 and output of a hypothetical firm. The market
price of the good is fixed at ₵10,000 per unit. Use the data to answer the questions that
follow
 Output (units) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Total cost (₵000) 10 12 15 19 32 40 x

1. Calculate
i. The average cost of producing two units ii. The total variable cost of producing 5 units

ii. The average fixed cost of producing four units

b. If the marginal cost of producing the sixth unit is ₵20,000 calculate the cost of
producing six units

c. Work out the total profit when output is 6 units

d. In what market is the firm selling? Explain your answer

2. The diagram below shows the situation of a hypothetical perfect competitive firm
making losses in short
equilibrium. Use it to answer the questions that follow

a. At the equilibrium output (25), what is the firm’s

i. Average cost
j. ii. Average revenue
k. iii. Total cost
l. iv. Total revenue
v. average variable cost
vi. Total variable cost
vii. Average fixed cost
viii. Total fixed cost

Advertisement

b. What is the total amount of loss of the firm

c. What advice would you give to the firm regarding production? Give reasons

SECTION B
Answer three questions only from this section.

3. (a) What is a trade union? [2 marks]

(b) Describe any four functions of trade unions. [12 marks]
(c) Outline any two weapons used by trade unions to achieve their objectives. [6
marks]

4. (a) Outline any four objectives of a price control policy. [8 marks]

(b) Highlight any four effects of a maximum price control policy. [12 marks]

5. (a) What are infant industries? [2 marks]

(b) State any four reasons for protecting infant industries. [12 marks]
(c) Outline any three ways by which industries can be financed in West Africa. [6
marks]

6. (a) Why is scarcity a fundamental problem in Economics? [6 marks]

(b) Give one reason each why Economics is a
(i) science; [3 marks]
(ii) social science. [3 marks]
(c) How do governments solve the problem of scarcity? [8 marks]
7. (a) Distinguish between the following pairs of cost concepts:
(i) Fixed cost and variable cost; [5 marks]
(ii) Real cost and money cost; [5 marks]
(iii) Implicit cost and explicit cost. [5 marks]
(b) (i) What would you recommend to a firm whose average variable cost is greater
than its price? [2 marks]
(ii) Give a reason for your answer in (b) (i). [3 marks]

8. (a) Trace the development of the African Development Bank (A.D.B.). [8 marks]
(b) Give three reasons for the establishment of the African Development Bank
(A.D.B.). [12 marks