JAMB Mathematics Syllabus
This is the JAMB UTME syllabus for Mathematics, covering 23 topics. Each topic lists what you are expected to study and the objectives — what you should be able to do — based on the official JAMB syllabus.
General Objectives
The Mathematics syllabus is designed to enable candidates to:
- Acquire computational and manipulative skills.
- Develop precise, logical and formal reasoning skills.
- Develop deductive skills in interpretation of graphs, diagrams and data.
- Apply mathematical concepts to resolve issues in daily living.
Detailed Mathematics Syllabus
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Number Bases
Contents
- Operations in different number bases from 2 to 10
- Conversion from one base to another including fractional parts
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Perform four basic operations (x, +, -, ÷)
- Convert one base to another
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Fractions, Decimals, Approximations and Percentages
Contents
- Fractions and decimals
- Significant figures
- Decimal places
- Percentage errors
- Simple interest
- Profit and loss percent
- Ratio, proportion and rate
- Shares and value added tax (VAT)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Perform basic operations (x, +, -, ÷) on fractions and decimals
- Express to specified number of significant figures and decimal places
- Calculate simple interest, profit and loss percent, ratio, proportion and rate
- Solve problems involving shares and value added tax (VAT)
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Indices, Logarithms and Surds
Contents
- Laws of indices
- Standard form
- Laws of logarithm
- Logarithm of any positive number to a given base
- Change of bases in logarithm and application
- Relationship between indices and logarithm
- Surds
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Apply the laws of indices in calculation
- Establish the relationship between indices and logarithms in solving problems
- Solve problems in different bases in logarithms
- Simplify and rationalise surds
- Perform basic operations on surds
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Sets
Contents
- Types of sets
- Algebra of sets
- Venn diagrams and their applications
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Identify types of sets, namely empty, universal, complements, subsets, finite, infinite and disjoint sets
- Solve problems involving cardinality of sets
- Solve set problems using symbols
- Use Venn diagrams to solve problems involving not more than 3 sets
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Polynomials
Contents
- Change of subject of formula
- Factor and remainder theorems
- Factorization of polynomials of degree not exceeding 3
- Multiplication and division of polynomials
- Roots of polynomials not exceeding degree 3
- Simultaneous equations including one linear and one quadratic
- Graphs of polynomials of degree not greater than 3
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Find the subject of the formula of a given equation
- Apply factor and remainder theorems to factorise a given expression
- Multiply and divide polynomials of degree not more than 3
- Factorize by regrouping, difference of two squares, perfect squares and cubic expressions
- Solve simultaneous equations – one linear, one quadratic
- Interpret graphs, including applications to maximum and minimum values
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Variation
Contents
- Direct variation
- Inverse variation
- Joint variation
- Partial variation
- Percentage increase and decrease
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Solve problems involving direct, inverse, joint and partial variations
- Solve problems on percentage increase and decrease in variation
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Inequalities
Contents
- Analytical and graphical solutions of linear inequalities
- Quadratic inequalities with integral roots only
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Solve problems on linear and quadratic inequalities
- Interpret graphs of inequalities
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Progression
Contents
- nth term of a progression
- Sum of Arithmetic Progression (A.P.)
- Sum of Geometric Progression (G.P.)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Determine the nth term of a progression
- Compute the sum of A.P. and G.P.
- Sum to infinity of a given G.P.
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Binary Operations
Contents
- Properties of closure, commutativity, associativity and distributivity
- Identity and inverse elements (simple cases only)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Solve problems involving closure, commutativity, associativity and distributivity
- Solve problems involving identity and inverse elements
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Matrices and Determinants
Contents
- Algebra of matrices not exceeding 3 x 3
- Determinants of matrices not exceeding 3 x 3
- Inverses of 2 x 2 matrices excluding quadratic and higher degree equations
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Perform basic operations (x, +, -, ÷) on matrices
- Calculate determinants
- Compute inverses of 2 x 2 matrices
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Euclidean Geometry
Contents
- Properties of angles and lines
- Polygons: triangles, quadrilaterals and general polygons
- Circles: angle properties, cyclic quadrilaterals and intersecting chords
- Construction
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Identify various types of lines and angles
- Solve problems involving polygons
- Calculate angles using circle theorems
- Identify construction procedures of special angles, e.g. 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°
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Mensuration
Contents
- Lengths and areas of plane geometrical figures
- Lengths of arcs and chords of a circle
- Perimeters and areas of sectors and segments of circles
- Surface areas and volumes of simple solids and composite figures
- The earth as a sphere: longitudes and latitudes
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Calculate the perimeters and areas of triangles, quadrilaterals, circles and composite figures
- Find the length of an arc, a chord, perimeters and areas of sectors and segments of circles
- Calculate total surface areas and volumes of cuboids, cylinders, cones, pyramids, prisms, spheres and composite figures
- Determine the distance between two points on the earth’s surface
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Loci
Contents
- Locus in 2 dimensions based on geometric principles relating to lines and curves
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Identify and interpret loci relating to parallel lines, perpendicular bisectors, angle bisectors and circles
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Coordinate Geometry
Contents
- Midpoint and gradient of a line segment
- Distance between two points
- Parallel and perpendicular lines
- Equations of straight lines
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Determine the midpoint and gradient of a line segment
- Find the distance between two points
- Identify conditions for parallelism and perpendicularity
- Find the equation of a line in the two-point form, point-slope form, slope-intercept form and the general form
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Trigonometry
Contents
- Trigonometrical ratios of angles
- Angles of elevation and depression
- Bearings
- Areas and solutions of triangles
- Graphs of sine and cosine
- Sine and cosine formulae
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Calculate the sine, cosine and tangent of angles between -360° and 360°
- Apply these special angles, e.g. 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°, 105°, 135° to solve simple problems in trigonometry
- Solve problems involving angles of elevation and depression
- Solve problems involving bearings
- Apply trigonometric formulae to find areas of triangles
- Solve problems involving sine and cosine graphs
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Differentiation
Contents
- Limit of a function
- Differentiation of explicit algebraic and simple trigonometrical functions – sine, cosine and tangent
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Find the limit of a function
- Differentiate explicit algebraic and simple trigonometrical functions
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Application of Differentiation
Contents
- Rate of change
- Maxima and minima
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Solve problems involving applications of rate of change, maxima and minima
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Integration
Contents
- Integration of explicit algebraic and simple trigonometrical functions
- Area under the curve
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Solve problems of integration involving algebraic and simple trigonometric functions
- Calculate area under the curve (simple cases only)
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Representation of Data
Contents
- Frequency distribution
- Histogram, bar chart and pie chart
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Identify and interpret frequency distribution tables
- Interpret information on histogram, bar chart and pie chart
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Measures of Location
Contents
- Mean, mode and median of ungrouped and grouped data (simple cases only)
- Cumulative frequency
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Calculate the mean, mode and median of ungrouped and grouped data (simple cases only)
- Use ogive to find the median, quartiles and percentiles
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Measures of Dispersion
Contents
- Range, mean deviation, variance and standard deviation
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Calculate the range, mean deviation, variance and standard deviation of ungrouped and grouped data
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Permutation and Combination
Contents
- Linear and circular arrangements
- Arrangements involving repeated objects
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Solve simple problems involving permutation and combination
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Probability
Contents
- Experimental probability (tossing of coin, throwing of dice, etc.)
- Addition and multiplication of probabilities (mutual and independent cases)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Solve simple problems involving probability
- Solve problems involving the addition and multiplication of probabilities
Recommended Texts
- Adelodun, A. A. (2000). Distinction in Mathematics: Comprehensive Revision Text (3rd ed.). Ado-Ekiti: FNPL.
- Anyebe, J. A. B. (1998). Basic Mathematics for Senior Secondary Schools and Remedial Students. 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.
- Wisdomline Pass at Once JAMB.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How is the JAMB UTME Mathematics syllabus structured?
- It is organised into five sections: Number and Numeration, Algebra, Geometry/Trigonometry, Calculus, and Statistics. Across these sections it covers roughly 22 topics, each with a list of contents (what to study) and objectives (what you should be able to do).
- What are the aims of the JAMB Mathematics syllabus?
- The syllabus tests four objectives: acquiring computational and manipulative skills, developing precise logical and formal reasoning, developing deductive skills for interpreting graphs, diagrams and data, and applying mathematical concepts to everyday problems.
- How many questions are there in JAMB Mathematics and how is it tested?
- JAMB UTME Mathematics is a computer-based test of 40 multiple-choice objective questions to be answered, typically within the shared exam session. Questions are spread across all five sections, so candidates should prepare every topic.
- Which topics carry the most weight in JAMB Mathematics?
- Algebra and Number and Numeration usually contribute the largest share of questions, with steady coverage from Geometry/Trigonometry and Statistics. Calculus (differentiation and integration) appears in fewer but predictable questions, so it is high-value relative to the effort.
- Is calculus included in the JAMB Mathematics syllabus?
- Yes. The Calculus section covers limits, differentiation of explicit algebraic and simple trigonometric functions, applications (rate of change, maxima and minima), and integration including area under a curve for simple cases.
- Does the syllabus include statistics and probability?
- Yes. Statistics covers representation of data (frequency tables, histograms, bar and pie charts), measures of location (mean, mode, median, cumulative frequency), measures of dispersion (range, mean deviation, variance, standard deviation), permutation and combination, and probability.
- What textbooks does JAMB recommend for Mathematics?
- JAMB lists titles including Adelodun's Distinction in Mathematics, Channon & Smith's New General Mathematics for West Africa, David-Osuagwu's New School Mathematics, and further-mathematics texts by Egbe and Tuttuh-Adegun, among others. Any standard SSS mathematics text aligned to the topics works well.
- Is the JAMB syllabus the same as what is asked in the exam?
- The syllabus is the official list of topics from which all questions are set, so studying strictly within it covers everything you can be examined on. Review the contents and objectives for each topic, since objectives signal exactly the skills questions will test.
Source: the official JAMB UTME syllabus (jamb.gov.ng / IBASS). Always confirm details against the official syllabus.