WAEC Mathematics Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks

By WAEC2026 November 20, 2025 Blog, WAEC Syllabus 2026, WAEC Textbooks 0 Comments

The WAEC Mathematics Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks covers: topics such as number and numeration, algebra, mensuration, plane geometry, coordinate geometry, and trigonometry. Other important areas include introductory calculus, statistics, probability, vectors and transformations. It is important to remember that the curriculum is similar to previous years, and WAEC has indicated that subject names may change, but the content will remain the same.

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Contents

1 Aims and Objectives
2 Examination Guides
3 PAPER 1:
4 PAPER 2:
5 WAEC Mathematics Syllabus 2026/2027
6 Recent Posts

Aims and Objectives

Candidates Mathematical competency and computational skills
Candidates must have Understanding of mathematical concepts and their relationship to the acquisition of entrepreneurial skills for everyday living in the global world
Candidates must have the ability to translate problems into mathematical language and solve them using appropriate methods
Candidates must have the ability to be accurate to a degree relevant to the problem at hand
Candidates must have Logical, abstract, and precise .

Examination Guides

There will be two papers, Papers 1 and 2, both of which must be taken.

PAPER 1:

The first paper will consist of fifty multiple-choice objective questions, drawn from the common areas of the syllabus, to be answered in 1½ hours for 50 marks.

PAPER 2:

The second paper will consist of thirteen essay questions in two sections, Sections A and B, to be answered in 2½ hours for 100 marks. Candidates will be required to answer ten questions in all.

Section A

Section A will consist of five compulsory questions, elementary in nature, carrying a total of 40 marks. The questions will be drawn from the common areas of the syllabus.

Section B

Section B will consist of eight questions of greater length and difficulty. The questions shall include a maximum of two, which shall be drawn from parts of the syllabuses that may not be peculiar to candidates’ home countries. Candidates will be expected to answer five questions for 60 marks.

WAEC Mathematics Syllabus 2026/2027

MAIN TOPIC	KEY SUBTOPICS / CONCEPTS
Number and Numeration	Number bases • Conversions between bases • Basic operations in bases • Modular arithmetic: concept, addition, subtraction, multiplication • Real-life applications
Fractions, Decimals & Approximations	Operations on fractions & decimals • Approximations • Significant figures
Indices	Laws of indices • Standard form (scientific notation)
Logarithms	Relationship between indices & logs (y = 10^k ⇔ log₁₀y = k) • Basic rules • Log & antilog tables • Multiplication, division, powers & roots
Sequence & Series	Patterns • Arithmetic Progression (AP) • Geometric Progression (GP)
Sets	Universal, finite, infinite, subsets, empty, disjoint sets • Venn diagrams for classification
Logical Reasoning	Simple statements • True/false • Negation & implications • Symbols • Venn diagrams
Integers & Rational Numbers	Positive & negative integers • 4 operations • Number line • Notation: ℕ, ℤ, ℚ
Surds (Radicals)	Simplification • Rationalization • Surds of form a√b • Basic operations
Matrices & Determinants	Order, notation, types • Matrix operations • Determinants
Ratio, Proportion & Rates	Ratios • Proportions • Work rates • Financial partnerships • Exchange rates • Density, speed, time
Percentages & Financial Maths	Simple/compound interest • Profit/loss • Depreciation • Discount • Commission • Hire purchase • Percentage errors
Variation	Direct, inverse, partial & joint variation • Practical applications
Algebraic Processes	Formulation of expressions • Evaluation • Simplification • Expansion • Factorization
Linear & Simultaneous Equations	Equations in one variable • Two-variable simultaneous equations
Change of Subject	Making a variable the subject • Substitution
Quadratic Equations	Solving quadratics • Forming quadratics from roots • Applications
Graphs of Linear & Quadratic Functions	Coordinates • Table of values • Plotting • Finding roots graphically • Tangents & gradients
Inequalities	Solution in one variable • Number line representation • Graphical solution in two variables
Algebraic Fractions	Operations with monomial & binomial denominators
Functions & Relations	One-one, one-many, many-one, many-many • Mappings • Rules of functions
Mensuration – Lengths & Perimeters	Pythagoras • Sine/cosine rules • Arcs, sectors, segments • Longitudes & latitudes
Mensuration – Areas	Triangles, quadrilaterals • Circles, sectors, segments • Surface areas: cube, cuboid, cylinder, prism, pyramid, cone, sphere • Similar figures • Compound areas
Mensuration – Volumes	Volumes of solids • Similar solids
Plane Geometry – Angles	Angles at a point • Straight line • Vertically opposite • Parallel-line angles • Intercepts
Triangles & Polygons	Angle sum • Exterior angle theorem • Special triangles • Quadrilaterals • Similar triangles • Polygon angles
Circles	Chords • Angle subtended at centre/circumference • Right angle from diameter • Same segment theorem • Opposite segment theorem • Tangent–radius perpendicularity • Alternate segment theorem
Constructions	Angle & line bisectors • Parallel/perpendicular lines • Constructing angles (90°, 60°, 45°, 30°) • Constructing triangles & quadrilaterals
Loci	Points at given distance from a point/line • Equidistant from two points/lines • Intersection of loci
Coordinate Geometry	XY-plane concept • Coordinates of points
Trigonometry	Sine, cosine, tangent • Special angles (30°, 45°, 60°) • Trig tables • 0°–360° values • Graphs • Elevation & depression • Bearings
Introductory Calculus	Differentiation: meaning, gradients, rules • Simple algebraic derivatives • Applications (max/min, rates of change) • Integration: meaning & simple definite integrals
Statistics	Frequency distribution • Pie/bar charts • Histogram • Frequency polygon • Mean, median, mode • Cumulative frequency & ogive • Dispersion: range, IQR, variance, SD
Probability	Experimental & theoretical probability • Addition rule • Multiplication rule
Vectors & Transformations	Vectors as directed segments • Components • Magnitude • Addition/subtraction • Scalar multiplication • Reflection • Rotation • Translation • Enlargement
Units	Length: mm–cm–m–km • Area: m²–hectare • Capacity: cm³–litre • Mass: mg–g–kg–tonne • Currencies of Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, UK, USA, Franc zones

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