DSE Mathematics · Core

Past paper questions

Sample · Practise · Paper 1 & Paper 2 · 2012–2024

Topic
174 questions match · Clear all
2015 · Paper 2 Q1 Polynomials
(x+1)(x2+x+1)= (x+1)(x^{2}+x+1)=
A x3+1 x^{3}+1
B (x+1)3 (x+1)^{3}
C x3+x2+x+1 x^{3}+x^{2}+x+1
D x3+2x2+2x+1 x^{3}+2x^{2}+2x+1
2015 · Paper 2 Q2 Laws of integral indices
(3y6)43y2= \frac{(3y^6)^4}{3y^2} =
A 4y5 4y^5 .
B 4y8 4y^8 .
C 27y12 27y^{12} .
D 27y22 27y^{22} .
2015 · Paper 2 Q3 Linear equations in two unknowns
If p+3q=4 p+3q=4 and 5p+9q=2 5p+9q=2 , then p=
A 5-5.
B 3-3.
C 33.
D 55.
2015 · Paper 2 Q4 Approximate values and numerical estimation
0.0023456789=0.0023456789 =
A 0.002350.00235 (correct to 6 decimal places).
B 0.0023450.002345 (correct to 6 decimal places).
C 0.0023460.002346 (correct to 6 significant figures).
D 0.002345680.00234568 (correct to 6 significant figures).
2015 · Paper 2 Q5 Identities
If mm and nn are constants such that x2+mx+n(x+4)(xm)+6x^{2}+mx+n\equiv(x+4)(x-m)+6, then n=n=
A 8-8.
B 2-2.
C 22.
D 66.
2015 · Paper 2 Q6 Linear inequalities in one unknown
The solution of 18+7x>418+7x>4 or 52x<35-2x<3 is
A x>2x>-2
B x>1x>-1
C x>1x>1
D 2<x<1-2<x<1
2015 · Paper 2 Q7 Quadratic equations in one unknown
If β\beta is a root of the equation 4x25x1=04x^{2}-5x-1=0, then 7+10β8β2=7+10\beta-8\beta^{2}=
A 55.
B 77.
C 99.
D 1111.
2015 · Paper 2 Q8 More about graphs of functions
The figure shows the graph of y=a(x+b)2y = a(x + b)^2, where aa and bb are constants. Which of the following is true?
Figure
A a<0a<0 and b<0b<0.
B a<0a<0 and b>0b>0.
C a>0a>0 and b<0b<0.
D a>0a>0 and b>0b>0.
2015 · Paper 2 Q9 Using percentages
If the price of a souvenir is increased by 70%70\% and then decreased by 60%60\%, find the percentage change in the price of the souvenir.
A 58%-58\%
B 32%-32\%
C 2%2\%
D 10%10\%
2015 · Paper 2 Q10 Using percentages
A sum of \50\,000isdepositedataninterestrateof is deposited at an interest rate of 6\%perannumfor per annum for 3$ years, compounded quarterly. Find the amount correct to the nearest dollar.
A \59\,000$
B \59\,551$
C \59\,755$
D \59\,781$
2015 · Paper 2 Q11 Rates, ratios and proportions
Let aa, bb and cc be non-zero numbers. If a:c=5:3a:c=5:3 and b:c=3:2b:c=3:2, then (a+c):(b+c)=(a+c):(b+c)=
A 7:57:5.
B 8:58:5.
C 16:1516:15.
D 19:1519:15.
2015 · Paper 2 Q12 Variations
It is given that zz varies as x3x^{3} and y2y^{2}. When x=2x=2 and y=1y=1, z=14z=14. When x=3x=3 and y=2y=-2, z=z=
A 189-189
B 126-126
C 126-126
D 189-189
2015 · Paper 2 Q13 Arithmetic and geometric sequences and their summations
In the figure, the 1st pattern consists of 5 dots. For any positive integer nn, the (n+1)(n+1)th pattern is formed by adding 4 dots to the nnth pattern. Find the number of dots in the 6th pattern.
Figure
2015 · Paper 2 Q14 Errors in measurement
There is a bag of white sugar. The weight of white sugar in the bag is measured as 55 kg correct to the nearest kg. If the bag of white sugar is packed into nn packets such that the weight of white sugar in each packet is measured as 1010 g correct to the nearest g, find the greatest possible value of nn.
A 500500
B 579579
C 500500
D 579579
2015 · Paper 2 Q15 Mensuration
In the figure, NN is a point lying on ACAC and EE is a point lying on DNDN. If DN=6DN = 6 cm and EN=5EN = 5 cm, then the area of riangleABC riangle ABC is
Figure
A 24 cm224\text{ cm}^{2}
B 30 cm230\text{ cm}^{2}
C 96 cm296\text{ cm}^{2}
D 192 cm2192\text{ cm}^{2}
2015 · Paper 2 Q16 Mensuration
The height and the base radius of a right circular cone are 1212 cm and 99 cm respectively. The figure shows a frustum which is made by cutting off the upper part of the circular cone. The height of the frustum is 88 cm. Find the volume of the frustum.
Figure
A 210π cm3210\pi \text{ cm}^{3}
B 312π cm3312\pi \text{ cm}^{3}
C 324π cm3324\pi \text{ cm}^{3}
D 936π cm3936\pi \text{ cm}^{3}
2015 · Paper 2 Q17 Similar triangles
In the figure, ABCDABCD is a parallelogram. EE is a point lying on CDCD such that DE:EC=2:3DE:EC=2:3. ADAD produced and BEBE produced meet at FF while AEAE produced and BCBC produced meet at GG. If the area of ΔDEF\Delta DEF is 8 cm28\text{ cm}^{2}, then the area of ΔCEG\Delta CEG is
Figure
A 12 cm212\text{ cm}^{2}
B 18 cm218\text{ cm}^{2}
C 20 cm220\text{ cm}^{2}
D 27 cm227\text{ cm}^{2}
2015 · Paper 2 Q18 Trigonometry
In the figure, ADAB=\frac{AD}{AB} =
Figure
A cosαtanβ\cos \alpha \tan \beta
B sinαtanβ\sin \alpha \tan \beta
C cosαtanβ\frac{\cos \alpha}{\tan \beta}
D sinαtanβ\frac{\sin \alpha}{\tan \beta}
2015 · Paper 2 Q19 More about trigonometry
cos1801+sin(90+θ)+cos3601+sin(270+θ)= \frac{\cos180^{\circ}}{1+\sin(90^{\circ}+\theta)}+\frac{\cos360^{\circ}}{1+\sin(270^{\circ}+\theta)}=
A 00.
B 2cosθ \frac{2}{\cos\theta}
C 2cosθsin2θ \frac{2\cos\theta}{\sin^{2}\theta}
D 2sinθcos2θ \frac{2\sin\theta}{\cos^{2}\theta}
2015 · Paper 2 Q20 Basic properties of circles
In the figure, ADAD is a diameter of the circle ABCDEABCDE. If BAD=58\angle BAD=58^{\circ} and BC=CDBC=CD, then AEC=\angle AEC=
Figure
A 32 32^{\circ} .
B 58 58^{\circ} .
C 61 61^{\circ} .
D 64 64^{\circ} .
2015 · Paper 2 Q21 Basic properties of circles
The diameters ACAC and BDBD of the circle ABCDABCD intersect at the point EE. If AEB=90 \angle AEB = 90^{\circ} and AC=24AC = 24 cm, then the area of AEB \triangle AEB is
A 41cm2 41\, cm^{2}
B 72cm2 72\, cm^{2}
C 144cm2 144\, cm^{2}
D 288cm2 288\, cm^{2}
2015 · Paper 2 Q22 Polygons
If an interior angle of a regular polygon is 5 times an exterior angle of the polygon, which of the following is/are true?

I. Each interior angle of the polygon is 150150^{\circ}.

II. The number of diagonals of the polygon is 6.

III. The number of folds of rotational symmetry of the polygon is 6.
A I only
B II only
C I and III only
D II and III only
2015 · Paper 2 Q23 Rectangular coordinate system
The rectangular coordinates of the point AA are (3,1)(\sqrt{3}, -1). If AA is reflected with respect to the yy-axis, then the polar coordinates of its image are
A (1,210)(1, 210^{\circ})
B (1,240)(1, 240^{\circ})
C (2,210)(2, 210^{\circ})
D (2,240)(2, 240^{\circ})
2015 · Paper 2 Q24 Loci
The coordinates of the points A and B are (2,0)(2, 0) and (1,5)(1, 5) respectively. If P is a moving point in the rectangular coordinate plane such that P is equidistant from A and B, then the locus of P is
A the perpendicular bisector of AB.
B the circle with AB as a diameter.
C the straight line which passes through A and B.
D the angle bisector of AOB\angle AOB, where O is the origin.
2015 · Paper 2 Q25 Equations of straight lines
In the figure, the equations of the straight lines L1L_{1} and L2L_{2} are ax=1ax = 1 and bx+cy=1bx + cy = 1 respectively. Which of the following are true?

I. a<0a < 0

II. a<ba < b

III. c>0c > 0
Figure
A I and II only
B I and III only
C II and III only
D I, II and III
2015 · Paper 2 Q26 Equations of circles
A circle CC passes through the point (0,3)(0, 3). If the coordinates of the centre of CC are (4,3)(-4, 3), then the equation of CC is
A x2+y28x+6y+9=0x^2 + y^2 - 8x + 6y + 9 = 0.
B x2+y28x+6y+16=0x^2 + y^2 - 8x + 6y + 16 = 0.
C x2+y2+8x6y+9=0x^2 + y^2 + 8x - 6y + 9 = 0.
D x2+y2+8x6y+16=0x^2 + y^2 + 8x - 6y + 16 = 0.
2015 · Paper 2 Q27 More about probability
Two fair dice are thrown in a game. If the sum of the two numbers thrown is 77, \36willbegained;otherwise, will be gained; otherwise, \66 will be gained. Find the expected gain of the game.
A \11$
B \12$
C \30$
D \31$
2015 · Paper 2 Q28 Probability
The bar chart below shows the distribution of the numbers of keys owned by the students in a class. Find the probability that a randomly selected student from the class owns 33 keys.
Figure
A 15\frac{1}{5}
B 211\frac{2}{11}
C 411\frac{4}{11}
D 911\frac{9}{11}
2015 · Paper 2 Q29 Measures of dispersion
The box-and-whisker diagram below shows the distribution of the numbers of books read by some teachers in a term. Find the inter-quartile range of the distribution.
Figure
A 2020
B 3535
C 4040
D 4545
2015 · Paper 2 Q30 Measures of central tendency
Consider the following integers:

Let pp, qq and rr be the mean, the median and the mode of the above integers respectively. If 3m53 \leq m \leq 5, which of the following must be true?

I. p>qp > q

II. p>rp > r

III. q>rq > r
A II only
B IIII only
C II and IIIIII only
D IIII and IIIIII only
2015 · Paper 2 Q31 More about polynomials
1x22x+11x2+x2= \frac{1}{x^2 - 2x + 1} - \frac{1}{x^2 + x - 2} =
A 1(x1)(x+2) \frac{1}{(x-1)(x+2)}
B 1(x1)2(x+2) \frac{1}{(x-1)^2(x+2)}
C 3(x1)2(x+2) \frac{3}{(x-1)^2(x+2)}
D 2x+1(x1)2(x+2) \frac{2x + 1}{(x-1)^2(x+2)}
2015 · Paper 2 Q32 Exponential and logarithmic functions
The graph in the figure shows the linear relation between log3x \log_3 x and log3y \log_3 y . Which of the following must be true?
Figure
A x2y3=729 x^2 y^3 = 729
B x3y2=729 x^3 y^2 = 729
C x2+y3=729 x^2 + y^3 = 729
D x3+y2=729 x^3 + y^2 = 729
2015 · Paper 2 Q33 Basic computation
11+26+210+211= 11 + 2^{6} + 2^{10} + 2^{11} =
A 1100010010112_{2}.
B 1101001000112_{2}.
C 11000010010112_{2}.
D 11010010000112_{2}.
2015 · Paper 2 Q34 More about equations
Let kk be a constant. If the roots of the quadratic equation x2+kx2=0x^{2}+kx-2=0 are α\alpha and β\beta, then α2+β2=\alpha^{2}+\beta^{2}=
A k2k^{2}
B k2+4k^{2}+4
C k24k^{2}-4
D k28k^{2}-8
2015 · Paper 2 Q35 More about polynomials
Let z=(a+5)i6+(a3)i7z = (a+5)i^6 + (a-3)i^7, where aa is a real number. If zz is a real number, then a=a =
A 5-5.
B 33.
C 33.
D 55.
2015 · Paper 2 Q36 Inequalities and linear programming
The figure shows a shaded region (including the boundary). If (a,b)(a, b) is a point lying in the shaded region, which of the following are true?

I. a4a \leq 4
II. ab5a \geq b - 5
III. a102ba \geq 10 - 2b
Figure
A I and II only
B I and III only
C II and III only
D I, II and III
2015 · Paper 2 Q37 Arithmetic and geometric sequences and their summations
Let xnx_n be the nnth term of a geometric sequence. If x6=216x_6 = 216 and x8=96x_8 = 96, which of the following must be true?

I. x3=729x_3 = 729

II. x5x7>1\frac{x_5}{x_7} > 1

III. x2+x4+x6++x2n<2015x_2 + x_4 + x_6 + \cdots + x_{2n} < 2015
A I only
B II only
C I and III only
D II and III only
2015 · Paper 2 Q38 More about trigonometry
For 0x<3600^{\circ} \leq x < 360^{\circ}, how many roots does the equation cos2xsinx=1\cos^{2}x - \sin x = 1 have?
A 2
B 3
C 4
D 5
2015 · Paper 2 Q39 More about graphs of functions
Let kk be a positive constant and 180<θ<180-180^{\circ} < \theta < 180^{\circ}. If the figure shows the graph of y=sin(kx+θ)y = \sin(kx^{\circ} + \theta) then
Figure
A k=12k=\frac{1}{2} and θ=30\theta=-30^{\circ}
B k=12k=\frac{1}{2} and θ=30\theta=30^{\circ}
C k=2k=2 and θ=30\theta=-30^{\circ}
D k=2k=2 and θ=30\theta=30^{\circ}
2015 · Paper 2 Q41 Equations of circles
Find the constant kk such that the circle x2+y2+2x6y+k=0x^{2}+y^{2}+2x-6y+k=0 and the straight line x+y+4=0x+y+4=0 intersect at only one point.
Figure
A 16-16
B 8-8
C 88
D 1616
2015 · Paper 2 Q42 Centres of triangles
Let OO be the origin. The coordinates of the points PP and QQ are (0,60)(0,60) and (96,48)(96,48) respectively. The xx-coordinate of the orthocentre of ΔOPQ\Delta OPQ is
A 66.
B 3232.
C 4545.
D 4848.
2015 · Paper 2 Q43 Permutations and combinations
A queue is formed by 6 boys and 2 girls. If no girls are next to each other, how many different queues can be formed?
A 14401440
B 1008010080
C 3024030240
D 3528035280
2015 · Paper 2 Q44 More about probability
Bag PP contains 22 red balls and 44 green balls while bag QQ contains 11 red ball and 33 green balls. If a bag is randomly chosen and then a ball is randomly drawn from the bag, find the probability that a green ball is drawn.
A 310\frac{3}{10}
B 710\frac{7}{10}
C 724\frac{7}{24}
D 1724\frac{17}{24}
2015 · Paper 2 Q45 Measures of dispersion
Let x1x_{1}, y1y_{1} and z1z_{1} be the mean, the median and the variance of a group of numbers {a1,a2,a3,,a50}\{a_{1}, a_{2}, a_{3}, \ldots, a_{50}\} respectively while x2x_{2}, y2y_{2} and z2z_{2} be the mean, the median and the variance of the group of numbers {a1,a2,a3,,a49}\{a_{1}, a_{2}, a_{3}, \ldots, a_{49}\} respectively. If x1=a50x_{1} = a_{50}, which of the following must be true?

I. x1=x2x_{1}=x_{2}

II. y1y2y_{1}\geq y_{2}

III. z1z2z_{1}\leq z_{2}
A I and II only
B I and III only
C II and III only
D I, II and III
2016 · Paper 1 Q2 Formulae
(a) Make xx the subject of the formula Ax=(4x+B)CAx = (4x + B)C. (3 marks)
2016 · Paper 1 Q3 Polynomials
() Simplify 24x5+316x\frac{2}{4x-5}+\frac{3}{1-6x}. (3 marks)
2016 · Paper 1 Q4 Polynomials
(a) 5m10n5m-10n
(b) m2+mn6n2m^{2}+mn-6n^{2}
(c) m2+mn6n25m+10nm^{2}+mn-6n^{2}-5m+10n (4 marks)
2016 · Paper 1 Q5 Using percentages
In a recreation club, there are 180 members and the number of male members is 40%40\% more than the number of female members. Find the difference of the number of male members and the number of female members. (4 marks)
2016 · Paper 1 Q6 Linear inequalities in one unknown
(a) Solve ()(*).
(b) Write down the greatest negative integer satisfying ()(*). (4 marks)
2016 · Paper 1 Q7 Basic properties of circles
(a) Find AOB \angle AOB .
(b) Find the perimeter of ΔAOB \Delta AOB .
(c) Write down the number of folds of rotational symmetry of ΔAOB \Delta AOB . (4 marks)