WAEC Syllabus For Mathematics 2026/2026 Texbooks

WAEC Syllabus For Mathematics 2026/2027, covers Number and Numeration (e.g., number bases, modular arithmetic), Algebra (e.g., algebraic expressions, quadratic equations), Geometry (e.g., plane geometry, coordinate geometry), Mensuration, Trigonometry, Matrices, Logarithms, Statistics and Probability, and Vectors.

The syllabus is divided into two papers: Paper 1 consists of multiple-choice objective questions, and Paper 2 is an essay paper with both objective and descriptive questions.

Preparing for the WAEC exams without using the WAEC syllabus is like a Farmer going into a farm without his tools. You will probably fail the exams.

So, we have provided the WAEC Syllabus For Mathematics 2026/2027 PDF Download on this page.

Aims & Objectives

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

Scheme of Examination

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.

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WAEC Syllabus For Mathematics 2026/2027

Major Topics	Sub-Topics and Concepts
Number Bases & Systems	Number bases: Conversion of numbers from one base to another. Basic operations on number bases.
	Modular Arithmetic: Concept of Modulo Arithmetic. Addition, subtraction, and multiplication operations in modulo arithmetic. Application to daily life.
	Fractions, Decimals, & Approximations: Basic operations on fractions and decimals. Approximations and significant figures.
	Positive & Negative Integers, Rational Numbers: The four basic operations on rational numbers. Match rational numbers with points on the number line. Notation: natural numbers (N), integers (Z), and rational numbers (Q).
	Surds (Radicals): Simplification and rationalization of simple surds. Surds of the form, ab​, where a is a rational number and b is a positive integer. Basic operations on surds (exclude surd of the form a+b​1​).
Indices and Logarithms	Indices: Laws of indices. Numbers in standard form (scientific notation).
	Logarithms: Relationship between indices and logarithms (e.g., y=10k implies log10​y=k). Basic rules of logarithms. Use of tables of logarithms and anti-logarithms. Calculations involving multiplication, division, powers, and roots.
Sequences and Series	Sequence and Series: Patterns of sequences. Arithmetic progression (A.P.) and Geometric Progression (G.P.).
Sets and Logic	Sets: Idea of sets, universal sets, finite and infinite sets, subsets, empty sets, and disjoint sets. Solution of practical problems involving classification using Venn diagrams.
	Logical Reasoning: Simple statements. True and false statements. Negation of statements and implications. Use of symbols, use of Venn diagrams.
Algebraic Processes	Algebraic Expressions: Formulating algebraic expressions from given situations. Evaluation of algebraic expressions. Simple operations on algebraic expressions. Expansion. Factorization.
	Solution of Linear Equations: Linear equations in one variable. Simultaneous linear equations in two variables.
	Change of Subject of a Formula/Relation: Change of subject of a formula or relationship. Substitution.
	Quadratic Equations: Solution of quadratic equations. Forming a quadratic equation with given roots. Application of a solution to a quadratic equation in practical problems.
	Linear Inequalities: Solution of linear inequalities in one variable and representation on the number line. Graphical solution of linear inequalities in two variables. Graphical solution of simultaneous linear inequalities in two variables.
	Algebraic Fractions: Operations on algebraic fractions with: Monomial denominators, Binomial denominators.
	Functions and Relations: Types of Functions (One-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-one, many-to-many). Functions as a mapping, determination of the rule of a given mapping or function.
Graphs and Coordinate Geometry	Graphs of Linear and Quadratic functions: Interpretation of graphs, the coordinate of points, tables of values, drawing quadratic graphs, obtaining roots from graphs. Graphical solution of a pair of equations of the form: y=ax2+bx+c and y=mx+k. Drawing tangents to curves to determine the gradient at a given point.
	Coordinate Geometry of Straight Lines: Concept of the x-y plane. Coordinates of points on the x-y plane.
Commercial Arithmetic	Ratio, Proportions and Rates: The ratio between two similar quantities. The proportion between two or more similar quantities. Financial partnerships, rates of work, costs, taxes, foreign exchange, density (e.g., population), mass, distance, time, and speed.
	Percentages: Simple interest, commission, discount, depreciation, profit and loss, compound interest, hire purchase, and percentage error.
	Financial Arithmetic: Depreciation/Amortization. Annuities. Capital Market Instruments.
	Variation: Direct, inverse, partial, and joint variations. Application to simple, practical problems.
Matrices and Determinants	Matrices and Determinants: Identification of order, notation, and types of matrices. Addition, subtraction, scalar multiplication, and multiplication of matrices. Determinant of a matrix.
Mensuration	Lengths and Perimeters: Use of Pythagoras theorem, sine, and cosine rules to determine lengths and distances. Lengths of arcs of circles, perimeters of sectors, and segments. Longitudes and latitudes.
	Areas: Triangles and special quadrilaterals. Circles, sectors, and segments. Surface areas of 3D shapes. Areas of similar figures. Area of triangle (21​base×height and 21​absinC). Areas of compound shapes. Relationship between sector and cone surface area.
	Volumes: Volumes of cubes, cuboids, cylinders, cones, right pyramids, and spheres. Volumes of similar solids.
Plane Geometry	Angles: Angles at a point (360∘). Adjacent angles on a straight line (180∘). Vertically opposite angles. Angles on parallel lines (Alternate, Corresponding, Interior opposite). Intercept theorem.
	Triangles and Polygons: Sum of angles of a triangle (180∘). Exterior angle property. Congruent triangles. Properties of special triangles and quadrilaterals. Properties of similar triangles. Sum and property of exterior angles of a polygon. Parallelograms on the same base.
	Circles: Properties of chords, angle at the center and circumference, angle in a semicircle, angles in the same segment, angles in opposite segments (cyclic quadrilateral), perpendicularity of tangent and radius, angle in the alternate segment.
	Construction: Bisectors, parallel/perpendicular lines, standard angles (90∘,60∘,45∘,30∘, etc.). Construction of triangles and quadrilaterals.
	Loci: Standard loci in 2D (distance from a point/line, equidistant from two points/lines) and their intersections.
Trigonometry	Trigonometry: Sine, Cosine, and Tangent of acute angles. Use of tables. Trigonometric ratios of 30∘,45∘, and 60∘. Sine, cosine, and tangent of angles from 0∘ to 360∘. Graphs of sine and cosine.
	Angles of Elevation and Depression: Calculating angles and application to heights and distances.
	Bearings: Bearing of one point from another. Calculation of distances and angles.
Introductory Calculus	Differentiation: Differentiation of algebraic functions. Concept/meaning of differentiation (gradient). Standard derivatives (e.g., if y=x2,dxdy​=2x). Application to real-life situations (maximum/minimum values, rates of change).
	Integration: Integration of simple algebraic functions. Meaning/concept of integration. Evaluation of simple definite algebraic equations.
Statistics and Probability	Statistics: Frequency distribution. Pie charts, bar charts, histograms, and frequency polygons. Mean, median, and mode for both discrete and grouped data. Cumulative frequency curve (Ogive). Measures of Dispersion (range, quartiles, variance, mean deviation, and standard deviation).
	Probability: Experimental and theoretical probability. Addition of probabilities (mutually exclusive and independent events). Multiplication of probabilities (independent events).
Vectors and Transformation	Vectors in a Plane: Vectors as a directed line segment. Cartesian components. Magnitude, equal vectors, addition, subtraction, zero vector, parallel vectors, and scalar multiplication.
	Transformation in the Cartesian Plane: Reflection, Rotation, Translation, and Enlargement of points and shapes.
Units	Units: Conversions for Length, Area (hectare), Capacity (litre), Mass (tonne), and Currencies (The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, UK, USA, French Speaking territories).

WAEC Mathematics Textbooks 2026/2027

Adelodun A. A (2000) Distinction in Mathematics: Comprehensive Revision Text, (3rd Edition) Ado –Ekiti: FNPL. Anyebe, J. A. B (1998) Basic Mathematics for Senior Secondary Schools and Remedial Students in Higher/ institutions, Lagos: Kenny Moore. Channon, J. B. Smith, A. M (2001) New General Mathematics for West Africa SSS 1 to 3, Lagos: Longman. David –Osuagwu, M. et al. (2000) New School Mathematics for Senior Secondary Schools, Onitsha: Africana – FIRST Publishers. Egbe. E et al. (2000) Further Mathematics, Onitsha: Africana – FIRST Publishers. Ibude, S. O. et al. (2003) Algebra and Calculus for Schools and Colleges: LINCEL Publishers. Tuttuh – Adegun M. R. et al. (1997), Further Mathematics Project Books 1 to 3, Ibadan: NPS Educational