DSE Mathematics · Core

Past paper questions

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

Topic
256 questions match · Clear all
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)
2016 · Paper 1 Q8 Variations
It is given that f(x) f(x) is the sum of two parts, one part varies as xx and the other part varies as x2 x^{2} . Suppose that f(3)=48 f(3)=48 and f(9)=198 f(9)=198 .
(a) Find f(x) f(x) .
(b) Solve the equation f(x)=90 f(x)=90
2016 · Paper 1 Q9 Organisation of data
The frequency distribution table and the cumulative frequency distribution table below show the distribution of the heights of the plants in a garden.
(a) Find xx, yy and zz.
(b) If a plant is randomly selected from the garden, find the probability that the height of the selected plant is less than 1.25 m1.25\text{ m} but not less than 0.65 m0.65\text{ m}.
(5 marks)
2016 · Paper 1 Q10 Equations of circles
(a) Find the equation of Γ\Gamma.

(2 marks)
(b) Γ\Gamma intersects the xx-axis and the yy-axis at HH and KK respectively. Denote the origin by OO. Let CC be the circle which passes through OO, HH and KK. Someone claims that the circumference of CC exceeds 3030. Is the claim correct? Explain your answer.
(3 marks)
2016 · Paper 1 Q11 Mensuration
An inverted right circular conical vessel contains some milk. The vessel is held vertically. The depth of milk in the vessel is 12 cm 12\text{ cm }. Peter then pours 444π444\pi cm^{3} of milk into the vessel without overflowing. He now finds that the depth of milk in the vessel is 16 cm 16\text{ cm }.
(a) Express the final volume of milk in the vessel in terms of π\pi. (3 marks)
(b) Peter claims that the final area of the wet curved surface of the vessel is at least 800800 cm^{2}. Do you agree? Explain your answer. (3 marks)
2016 · Paper 1 Q12 Measures of dispersion
Figure
(a) Find aa and bb.
(b) Four more children now join the group. It is found that the ages of these four children are all different and the range of the ages of the children in the group remains unchanged. Find
(i) the greatest possible median of the ages of the children in the group,
(ii) the least possible mean of the ages of the children in the group. ( ) Aqv 22d
2016 · Paper 1 Q13 Congruent triangles
Figure
(a) Prove that ΔACDΔABE\Delta ACD \cong \Delta ABE.
(b) Suppose that AD=15 cmAD=15\text{ cm}, BD=7 cmBD=7\text{ cm} and DE=18 cmDE=18\text{ cm}.
(i) Find AMAM.
(ii) Is ΔABE\Delta ABE a right-angled triangle? Explain your answer. (5 marks)
2016 · Paper 1 Q14 More about polynomials
(a) Find ll, mm and nn.
(b) How many real roots does the equation p(x)=0p(x) = 0 have? Explain your answer. (5 marks)
2016 · Paper 1 Q15 Permutations and combinations
If 44 boys and 55 girls randomly form a queue, find the probability that no boys are next to each other in the queue. (3 marks)
2016 · Paper 1 Q16 Measures of dispersion
In a test, the mean of the distribution of the scores of a class of students is 6161 marks. The standard scores of Albert and Mary are 2.6-2.6 and 1.41.4 respectively. Albert gets 2222 marks. A student claims that the range of the distribution is at most 5959 marks. Is the claim correct? Explain your answer.
2016 · Paper 1 Q17 Arithmetic and geometric sequences and their summations
The 1st term and the 38th term of an arithmetic sequence are 666666 and 555555 respectively. Find
(a) the common difference of the sequence, (2 marks)
(b) the greatest value of nn such that the sum of the first nn terms of the sequence is positive. (3 marks)
2016 · Paper 1 Q18 Quadratic equations in one unknown
(a) Using the method of completing the square, find the coordinates of the vertex of the graph of y=f(x)y = f(x). (2 marks)
(b) The graph of y=g(x)y = g(x) is obtained by translating the graph of y=f(x)y = f(x) vertically. If the graph of y=g(x)y = g(x) touches the xx-axis, find g(x)g(x). (2 marks)
(c) Under a transformation, f(x)f(x) is changed to 13x212x121\frac{-1}{3}x^2 - 12x - 121. Describe the geometric meaning of the transformation. (2 marks)
2016 · Paper 1 Q19 3-D figures
Figure 2 shows a geometric model ABCDABCD in the form of tetrahedron. It is given that BAD=86\angle BAD = 86^{\circ}, CBD=43\angle CBD = 43^{\circ}, AB=10AB = 10 cm, AC=6AC = 6 cm, BC=8BC = 8 cm and BD=15BD = 15 cm.
Figure
(a) Find ABD\angle ABD and CDCD.
(b) A craftsman claims that the angle between ABAB and the face BCDBCD is ABC\angle ABC. Do you agree? Explain your answer. (2 marks)
2016 · Paper 1 Q20 Equations of circles
(a) Prove that OP=PQOP = PQ.
(b) A rectangular coordinate system is introduced so that the coordinates of OO and QQ are (0,0)(0,0) and (40,30)(40,30) respectively while the yy-coordinate of PP is 1919. Let CC be the circle which passes through OO, PP and QQ.
(i) Find the equation of CC.
(ii) Let L1L_{1} and L2L_{2} be two tangents to CC such that the slope of each tangent is 34\frac{3}{4} and the yy-intercept of L1L_{1} is greater than that of L2L_{2}. L1L_{1} cuts the xx-axis and the yy-axis at SS and TT respectively while L2L_{2} cuts the xx-axis and the yy-axis at UU and VV respectively. Someone claims that the area of the trapezium STUVSTUV exceeds 1700017000. Is the claim correct? Explain your answer.
2016 · Paper 2 Q1 Laws of integral indices
82225666=8^{222} \cdot 5^{666} =
A 1066610^{666}
B 1088810^{888}
C 4066640^{666}
D 4088840^{888}
2016 · Paper 2 Q2 Formulae
If ax÷by=3\frac{a}{x} \div \frac{b}{y} = 3, then x=x =
A ay3yb\frac{ay}{3y - b}.
B ayb3y\frac{ay}{b - 3y}.
C by3ya\frac{by}{3y - a}.
D bya3y\frac{by}{a - 3y}.
2016 · Paper 2 Q3 Identities
16(2x3y)2=16-(2x-3y)^{2}=
A (42x3y)(4+2x+3y)(4-2x-3y)(4+2x+3y)
B (42x3y)(4+2x3y)(4-2x-3y)(4+2x-3y)
C (42x+3y)(4+2x+3y)(4-2x+3y)(4+2x+3y)
D (42x+3y)(4+2x3y)(4-2x+3y)(4+2x-3y)
2016 · Paper 2 Q4 Approximate values and numerical estimation
0.0765403=0.0765403 =
A 0.0760.076 (correct to 22 significant figures).
B 0.07650.0765 (correct to 33 decimal places).
C 0.076540.07654 (correct to 44 significant figures).
D 0.0765400.076540 (correct to 55 decimal places).
2016 · Paper 2 Q5 Linear equations in two unknowns
If 4α+β=7α+3β=54\alpha + \beta = 7\alpha + 3\beta = 5, then β=\beta =
A 3-3
B 2-2
C 22
D 33
2016 · Paper 2 Q6 More about polynomials
Let f(x)=4x3+kx+3f(x)=4x^{3}+kx+3, where kk is a constant. If f(x)f(x) is divisible by 2x+12x+1, find the remainder when f(x)f(x) is divided by x+1x+1.
A 7-7
B 6-6
C 00
D 55
2016 · Paper 2 Q7 Linear inequalities in one unknown
The solution of 5x>212x-5x > 21 - 2x and 6x18<06x - 18 < 0 is
A x<7x < -7.
B x<3x < 3.
C 7<x<3-7 < x < 3.
D x<7x < -7 or x>3x > 3.
2016 · Paper 2 Q8 Quadratic equations in one unknown
If kk is a constant such that the quadratic equation x2+kx+8k+36=0x^{2}+kx+8k+36=0 has equal roots, then k=k=
A 6-6.
B 1212.
C 4-4 or 3636.
D 18-18 or 22.
2016 · Paper 2 Q9 More about graphs of functions
If 1<a<0-1 < a < 0, which of the following may represent the graph of y=(ax+1)2+ay = (ax + 1)^2 + a?
FigureFigureFigureFigure
A
B
C
D
2016 · Paper 2 Q10 Using percentages
The monthly salary of Donald is 25%25\% higher than that of Peter while the monthly salary of Peter is 25%25\% lower than that of Teresa. It is given that the monthly salary of Donald is \33\,360$. The monthly salary of Teresa is
A \31\,275$.
B \33\,360$.
C \35\,584$.
D \52\,125$.
2016 · Paper 2 Q11 Rates, ratios and proportions
If xx and yy are non-zero numbers such that (3y4x):(2x+y)=5:6(3y-4x):(2x+y)=5:6, then x:y=x:y=
A 7:87:8.
B 8:298:29.
C 9:329:32.
D 13:3413:34.
2016 · Paper 2 Q12 Variations
It is given that zz varies directly as x\sqrt{x} and inversely as yy. If xx is decreased by 36%36\% and yy is increased by 60%60\%, then zz
A is increased by 24%24\%.
B is increased by 28%28\%.
C is decreased by 40%40\%.
D is decreased by 50%50\%.
2016 · Paper 2 Q13 Using percentages
The cost of flour of brand X is \42/\text{kg}.If. If 3\text{ kg}offlourofbrandXand of flour of brand X and 2\text{ kg}offlourofbrandYaremixedsothatthecostofthemixtureis of flour of brand Y are mixed so that the cost of the mixture is \36/kg36/\text{kg}, find the cost of flour of brand Y.
A \27/\text{kg}$
B \30/\text{kg}$
C \32/\text{kg}$
D \39/\text{kg}$
2016 · Paper 2 Q14 Arithmetic and geometric sequences and their summations
In the figure, the 1st pattern consists of 99 dots. For any positive integer nn, the (n+1)(n+1)th pattern is formed by adding 55 dots to the nnth pattern. Find the number of dots in the 7th pattern.
Figure
A 2929
B 3434
C 3939
D 4444
2016 · Paper 2 Q15 Angles and parallel lines
According to the figure, which of the following must be true?

I. a+c=180 a + c = 180^{\circ}

II. a+bc=180 a + b - c = 180^{\circ}

III. b+c=360 b + c = 360^{\circ}
Figure
A I only
B II only
C I and III only
D II and III only
2016 · Paper 2 Q16 Pythagoras' theorem
In the figure, ABC ABC is a straight line. If AB=24 cm AB = 24\ cm , AD=40 cm AD = 40\ cm , BD=32 cm BD = 32\ cm and CD=68 cm CD = 68\ cm , then BC= BC =
Figure
A 43 cm43\text{ cm}.
B 54 cm54\text{ cm}.
C 55 cm55\text{ cm}.
D 60 cm60\text{ cm}.
2016 · Paper 2 Q17 Quadrilaterals
In the figure, ABCDABCD is a parallelogram. EE is a point lying on CDCD such that BE=CEBE = CE. If ADC=114\angle ADC = 114^\circ, then ABE=\angle ABE =
Figure
A 4848^{\circ}
B 5757^{\circ}
C 6262^{\circ}
D 6666^{\circ}
2016 · Paper 2 Q18 Mensuration
The figure shows a right prism. Find the volume of the prism.
Figure
A 216 cm3216\text{ cm}^{3}
B 240 cm3240\text{ cm}^{3}
C 300 cm3300\text{ cm}^{3}
D 328 cm3328\text{ cm}^{3}
2016 · Paper 2 Q19 Arc lengths and areas of sectors
In the figure, OABOAB and OCDOCD are sectors with centre OO, where OA=33 cmOA=33\text{ cm} and OC=39 cmOC=39\text{ cm}. The area of the shaded region ABDCABDC is 72πcm272\pi\text{cm}^{2}. Which of the following is/are true?
I. The angle of the sector OABOAB is 6060^{\circ}.
II. The area of the sector OABOAB is 11πcm211\pi\text{cm}^{2}.
III. The perimeter of the sector OCDOCD is 13πcm13\pi\text{cm}.
Figure
A I and III only
B II only
C I and III only
D II and III only
2016 · Paper 2 Q20 Similar triangles
In the figure, ABCDABCD, CDEFCDEF and EFGHEFGH are squares. AGAG cuts CDCD and EFEF at PP and QQ respectively. Find the ratio of the area of quadrilateral DEQPDEQP to the area of quadrilateral ABCPABCP.
Figure
A 1:21:2
B 2:32:3
C 3:53:5
D 4:94:9
2016 · Paper 2 Q21 Trigonometry
In the figure, AD=AD =
Figure
A ABcosa+BCcoscAB\cos a + BC\cos c
B ABcosa+BCsincAB\cos a + BC\sin c
C ABsina+BCcoscAB\sin a + BC\cos c
D ABsina+BCsincAB\sin a + BC\sin c
2016 · Paper 2 Q22 Basic properties of circles
In the figure, ABCDABCD is a rhombus. CC is the centre of the circle BDEBDE and ADEADE is a straight line. BEBE and CDCD intersect at FF. If ADC=118\angle ADC = 118^\circ, then DFE=\angle DFE =
Figure
A 5959^{\circ}
B 6262^{\circ}
C 7878^{\circ}
D 8787^{\circ}
2016 · Paper 2 Q23 Polygons
The figure below consists of regular hexagons. The number of axes of reflectional symmetry of the figure is
Figure
2016 · Paper 2 Q24 Polygons
If the sum of the interior angles of a regular nn-sided polygon is 32403240^{\circ}, which of the following is true?
A The value of nn is 1616.
B Each exterior angle of the polygon is 1818^{\circ}.
C The number of diagonals of the polygon is 2020.
D Each interior angle of the polygon is 160160^{\circ}.
2016 · Paper 2 Q25 Equations of straight lines
If the straight lines hx+ky+15=0hx + ky + 15 = 0 and 4x+3y5=04x + 3y - 5 = 0 are perpendicular to each other and intersect at a point on the xx-axis, then k=k =
A 12-12.
B 4-4.
C 33.
D 1616.
2016 · Paper 2 Q26 Rectangular coordinate system
The coordinates of the points AA and BB are (9,2)(9,-2) and (1,8)(-1,8) respectively. If CC is a point lying on the straight line x2y=0x-2y=0 such that AC=BCAC=BC, then the xx-coordinate of CC is
A 11.
B 22.
C 33.
D 44.
2016 · Paper 2 Q27 Equations of circles
The equation of the circle CC is 3x2+3y212x+30y+65=03x^{2}+3y^{2}-12x+30y+65=0. Which of the following are true?

I. The radius of CC is 1414.
II. The origin lies outside CC.
III. The coordinates of the centre of CC are (2,5)(2, -5).
A I and II only
B I and III only
C II and III only
D I, II and III
2016 · Paper 2 Q28 Probability
Christine has one 11 coin, one 22 coin, one 55 coin and one 1010 coin in her pocket. If Christine takes out three coins randomly from her pocket, find the probability that she gets at least 1313.
A 12\frac{1}{2}
B 14\frac{1}{4}
C 34\frac{3}{4}
D 2324\frac{23}{24}
2016 · Paper 2 Q29 Probability
A bag contains 11 red ball, 33 yellow balls and 66 white balls. In a lucky draw, a ball is randomly drawn from the bag and a certain number of tokens will be got according to the following table:

[Table]

the expected number of tokens got in the lucky draw.
A 1010
B 2121
C 4040
D 6161
2016 · Paper 2 Q30 Measures of central tendency
Consider the following data:

3232 6868 7979 8686 8888 9898 9898 aa bb cc

If the mean and the mode of the above data are 7777 and 6868 respectively, then the median of the above data is
A 7676.
B 8282.
C 8585.
D 9393.
2016 · Paper 2 Q31 More about polynomials
The L.C.M. of 9a2b9a^{2}b, 12a4b312a^{4}b^{3} and 15a615a^{6} is
A 3a23a^{2}
B 3a2b3a^{2}b
C 180a6b3180a^{6}b^{3}
D 180a12b4180a^{12}b^{4}