waec logo[/caption]THOSE WHO FAILED WAEC MATHS ALSO MISSED THESE KEY AREAS IN
THEIR PREPARATIONS!
1.WAEC MATHS FORMULAS, SIGNS,NOTATIONS,SYMBOLS AND HINTS.
2.THE SIX PROCEDURAL STEPS FOR SOLVING ALL WAEC MATHS QUESTIONS (VERY IMPORTANT)!
Now lets explain these two a bit more as follows:
RECOGNITION / IMPORTANCE OF MATHS FORMULAS, SIGNS, SYMBOLS,NOTATIONS & HINTS
68. A maths formula is a set of rules expressed in symbols or as an acronym for simplification purposes. A formula is a shorthand expression of a mathematical relationship which often is the master key for finding solutions. Since a maths formulas are often tools for solutions the best attitude for students is not to dread or avoid them but to develop familiarity with them.
69. Similarly students need to be familiar with maths signs, symbols, notations and hints as would be indicated later in this write-up. The table below points to the most important areas for fishing for relevant formulas during private studies e.t.c.
| S/N | AREA OF MATHS | AREA OF KEY FORMULAS(FOR SSS) |
| 1/2 | ARITHMETIC/STRUCTURE | The laws of indices, Logarithm, Series and formulas relating to business arithmetic. |
| 3 | ALGEBRA | The “almighty formula” and identity relations. |
| 4 | TRIGONOMETRY | Trigonometrical ratios, Pythagoras and related theorems. |
| 5 | GEOMETRY | Mensuration formulas for plane and spherical geometrical including circles. |
| 6/7 | PROBABILITY& STATISTICS | Formulas for sum of probability, and likelihood estimates, mean, mode, median, quartile, variances and standard deviations. |
70. Let’s refer a bit to signs and symbols in maths. One is bound to ask what their uses are because lots of misconception and phobia are attached to them by students. Tutors must therefore spend some time explaining their utility during exams,tests or homework to students. The purpose shall be to chip off part of the phobia and fear fear and let them understand that there is nothing really special or difficult about mathematical signs and symbols. Students need to understand that they are just representations adopted as shorthand to quicken and simplify the process of computation in maths. However, after a long period, regularity, frequency and consistency of use, these signs and symbols became standard signs for specific purposes in the history of mathematics e.g. “∑” (sigma) which has become a standardized sign for summation or “θ”(theta) which has come to represent the sign for a regular angle. As stated earlier, they vary importantly because they have helped to determine or get many formulas defined or expressed through them. Some of the commonest mathematical, signs, symbols notations and hints have been listed for further reference by students.
a. Key mathematical signs, symbols. and notations
b. Basic quick revision formulas & hints for WAEC maths clinic or Js3 exams
c. Senior School Revision formulas and hints
Due to the length of b and c above they have been separated and shall be published as whole units for reference purposes.
KEY MATHEMATICAL SIGNS, SYMBOLS AND NOTATIONS
71. Apart from popular signs such as +, -, ×, =, >, <, ≥, ≤, √, % we also have =, ∑, α, =>, ↔,è, Π, {}, Ł, ι, Δ, /. Please spend some time to searching for their meanings. You should not wait to be spoon-fed all the time. We are already familiar with most of them or are we not?
72. Students should also know the signs and symbols used to represent the following words even though many relate more to the sciences. These include meter, kilogram, seconds, radian, Newton joule, watt, volt, ohm, Faraday, hertz, degree, Celsius, square meter, per cubic meter, etc.
73. Note that a full stop is written after symbols for units except when they occur normally at the end of the sentence. Note that symbols for units do not have plural forms e.g. 40 kilogram. Also pay close attention to the most popular Greek alphabets such as:
α= alfa or alpha =a, β= beta =b, γ= gama or gamma = g, Δ= delta = d, π=pi = p, ∑= sigma =s, Θ= theta or teta = th, Φ=phi = f, Ω= omega = oi
Please also note that alphabets have their capital and small letter forms which are mixed above. But curiously the capital and small forms don’t usually look alike.
74. The seven different branches of maths have their different symbols e.g . statistics have the following:
X-sample or arithmetic mean, Π – mean of population, S – standard deviation or sample, S²-variance of sample, Б -standard deviation, б²-variance of population.
PLEASE NOTE THAT MANY OF THESE SIGNS,HINTS,SYMBOLS ARE TO BE FOUND IN THE LISTS OF FORMULAS AND HINTS TO BE PUBLISHED LATER ON THIS WEBSITE.
PROCEDURAL STEPS FOR SOLVING WAEC MATHS PROBLEMS (VERY IMPORTANT!)
75. STEP 1: IDENTIFY The branch of mathematics, key concepts and question phrase from the problem given. This is a mental effort which should take a few seconds only.
76. STEP 2: RE-STATE the relevant facts given starting with the phrase “GIVEN THAT …”in most cases.
Here you are only restating facts from the question without solving it but you will get marks in a theory examination paper for doing the obvious!
77. STEP 3: INTERPRETE The facts given into a numerical equation on a drawing or a pictorial expression if not already given and in most cases SIMPLIFY the mathematical expression further for the next step you are likely to take..
78. STEP 4: APPLY the relevant formula after determining whether there is a formula applicable to the simplified form to get a solution. You may state the formula as follows “using the formula which states that…..”
79. STEP 5: COMBINE Your knowledge of arithmetical and algebraically rules with the simplified facts, formula or theory from step 4 to get an answer.
80. STEP 6: STATE your answer clearly on a different line .Don’t forget the unit of measurement such as m2 or km or cm3
CONCLUSION:
81. TO PASS WAEC MATHS
Know the branches of maths
Understand the concepts .
Know the question types.
Develop capability for recognizing signs, symbols and notations.
Memorize as many of the formulas and hints as you can and know how and when they can be applied.
Practice the 6 procedural steps outlined above.
Having mastered these six steps you can crown it all with continuous practice. But note that engaging in continuous practice of math as many tutors would say without grounding yourself in what maths is all about is an act of deceit capable of limiting your success.
Steps 82 to 84 have been separated and transferred to
BASIC ETIQUETTE FOR WAEC MATHS
They are however summarized as follows:
82.Certain student practices usually found pleasing to WAEC maths examiners
83. Additional points to note for WAEC maths studies.
84. Topics identified by WAEC experts which might be useful for private studies
OUR "84 STEPS" TERMINATES HERE. BUT WE HAVE ADDITIONAL HELPFUL NOTES ON WAEC MATHS FOR YOU.SO PLEASE READ ON.
THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK.
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