Episode 2: The WAEC Challenge

Episode 2: The WAEC Challenge

The long-awaited WAEC (West African Examinations Council) exams had finally arrived. SS3 students at Brightfield High School were filled with mixed emotions—some were confident, while others were nervous.

Amara sat at the front row of the exam hall, her heart pounding. This was the moment that would determine her future. Beside her, Deborah whispered, "We’ve prepared for this, Amara. We’ve got this!"

The invigilator, Mr. Benson, walked in, carrying a sealed brown envelope.

"Good morning, candidates," he announced. "You are about to begin your WAEC Further Mathematics Paper. Remember, no malpractice! If you’re caught, you will be disqualified."

The tension in the room increased as he tore open the envelope and distributed the question papers.

WAEC Further Mathematics Exam

Amara took a deep breath and looked at the first question:

1. Differentiate f(x)=3x2+5x−7f(x) = 3x^2 + 5x - 7

She smiled. Differentiation? Easy!

Using the power rule:

ddx(axn)=naxn−1\frac{d}{dx} (ax^n) = nax^{n-1}She solved:

f′(x)=3(2)x2−1+5(1)x1−1−0f'(x) = 3(2)x^{2-1} + 5(1)x^{1-1} - 0=6x+5= 6x + 5She quickly moved to the next question:

2. Find the integral of 4x3+2x4x^3 + 2xwith respect toxx.

Using the integration rule:

∫axndx=axn+1n+1+C\int ax^n dx = \frac{ax^{n+1}}{n+1} + CShe solved:

∫(4x3+2x)dx=4x3+14+2x1+12+C\int (4x^3 + 2x) dx = \frac{4x^{3+1}}{4} + \frac{2x^{1+1}}{2} + C=x4+x2+C= x^4 + x^2 + CShe continued solving with full concentration.

WAEC Physics Exam

A few days later, it was time for Physics Paper 1 (Objective).

One question caught Amara’s eye:

1. A boy kicks a football with a force of 50N\, and it accelerates at 2 m/s². Find the mass of the ball.

She remembered Newton’s Second Law:

F=maF = maRearranging for mass:

m=Fa=502=25kgm = \frac{F}{a} = \frac{50}{2} = 25 kgAnother question was:

2. What is the refractive index if the speed of light in air is 3.0×1083.0 \times 10^8m/s and in glass is2.0×1082.0 \times 10^8m/s?

Using the formula:

n=cvn = \frac{c}{v}n=3.0×1082.0×108=1.5n = \frac{3.0 \times 10^8}{2.0 \times 10^8} = 1.5She shaded her answers carefully, double-checking everything.

WAEC Marketing Exam

In the Marketing paper, one of the essay questions was:

1. Explain the differences between a sole proprietorship and a partnership.

Amara wrote:

Sole Proprietorship: A business owned by one person. The owner takes all the profits but also bears all the risks. Example: A small grocery store.

Partnership: A business owned by two or more people. Profits and risks are shared. Example: A law firm.

Another question was:

2. What are the functions of advertising in business?

She wrote:

Creates awareness – Helps customers know about a product.

Increases sales – Encourages people to buy.

Builds brand loyalty – Makes customers trust a brand.

Persuades consumers – Shows why a product is better than competitors’.

The End of WAEC

After two weeks of non-stop exams, WAEC finally ended. Amara and Deborah sat outside the school, feeling relieved.

"We did it!" Deborah cheered.

"I just hope my results come out well," Amara said.

"Don’t worry, we prepared well," Deborah reassured her. "Now, let’s focus on JAMB!"

Amara nodded. Her dream of becoming a businesswoman was just beginning.

To be continued…

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