Theory paper · 13 questions

WAEC · 2009 · May/June · General Maths · Paper 2

Topics include Surds, Indices & standard form, Trigonometric ratios, Inequalities, Statistics: data & averages, Dispersion & cumulative frequency.

Sit this paper

Answer every question in order, timed if you like (suggested 3 h 15 min). You're marked when you hand in, then you see where to focus and the working for each question.

Or read it here: every question below has a worked solution.

Question 1✱✱

  1. (a)

    Given that (3−52)(3+2)=a+b6(\sqrt3 - 5\sqrt2)(\sqrt3 + \sqrt2) = a + b\sqrt6, find aa and bb.

    Separate values with commas, e.g. 3, −2

  2. (b)

    If 21−y×2y−12y+2=82−3y\dfrac{2^{1-y} \times 2^{y-1}}{2^{y+2}} = 8^{2-3y}, find yy.

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. Expand the brackets term by term: 3⋅3+3⋅2−52⋅3−52⋅2\sqrt3 \cdot \sqrt3 + \sqrt3 \cdot \sqrt2 - 5\sqrt2 \cdot \sqrt3 - 5\sqrt2 \cdot \sqrt2.
  2. Simplify each term: 3+6−56−103 + \sqrt6 - 5\sqrt6 - 10.
  3. Collect like terms: −7−46-7 - 4\sqrt6.
  4. Compare with a+b6a + b\sqrt6: a=−7a = -7 and b=−4b = -4.

(b)

  1. Add the powers on top (same base 2): (1−y)+(y−1)=0(1 - y) + (y - 1) = 0, so the top is 202^0.
  2. Divide by subtracting powers: the left side is 20−(y+2)=2−y−22^{0 - (y + 2)} = 2^{-y-2}.
  3. Write the right side in base 2: 82−3y=(23)2−3y=26−9y8^{2-3y} = (2^3)^{2-3y} = 2^{6-9y}.
  4. Equate the powers: −y−2=6−9y-y - 2 = 6 - 9y, so 8y=88y = 8.
  5. So y=1y = 1.

Report a problem with this question

Question 2

  1. (a)

    If 9cos⁡x−7=19\cos x - 7 = 1 and 0∘≤x≤90∘0^\circ \le x \le 90^\circ, find xx.

  2. (b)

    Given that xx is an integer, find the three greatest values of xx which satisfy the inequality 7x<2x−137x < 2x - 13.

    Separate values with commas, e.g. 3, −2

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. Add 7 to both sides: 9cos⁡x=89\cos x = 8.
  2. Divide by 9: cos⁡x=89=0.8889\cos x = \frac89 = 0.8889.
  3. Use tables or a calculator in degree mode: x=cos⁡−1(0.8889)=27.27∘x = \cos^{-1}(0.8889) = 27.27^\circ.

(b)

  1. Subtract 2x2x from both sides: 5x<−135x < -13.
  2. Divide by 5 (a positive number, so the sign stays): x<−2.6x < -2.6.
  3. The integers less than −2.6-2.6 are −3,−4,−5,…-3, -4, -5, \dots.
  4. The three greatest are −3-3, −4-4 and −5-5.

Report a problem with this question

Question 3

The table shows the number of children per family in a community.

No. of children 0 1 2 3 4 5
No. of families 3 5 7 4 3 2
  1. (a)

    Find the: (i) mode; (ii) third quartile; (iii) probability that a family has at least 2 children.

    Separate values with commas, e.g. 3, −2

  2. (b)

    If a pie chart were to be drawn for the data, what would be the sectoral angle representing families with one child?

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)(i)

  1. The mode is the number of children with the highest frequency: 7 families have 2 children, so the mode is 2.

(ii)

  1. Total number of families: 3+5+7+4+3+2=243 + 5 + 7 + 4 + 3 + 2 = 24.
  2. The third quartile is at position 34×24=18\frac34 \times 24 = 18 in the ordered list.
  3. Running totals: 3 (0 children), 8 (1 child), 15 (2 children), 19 (3 children).
  4. The 16th to 19th families have 3 children, so the 18th has 3.
  5. The third quartile is 3 children.

(iii)

  1. Families with at least 2 children: 7+4+3+2=167 + 4 + 3 + 2 = 16.
  2. Probability =1624=23= \frac{16}{24} = \frac23.

(b)

  1. Angle for one child =524×360∘= \frac{5}{24} \times 360^\circ
    =75∘= 75^\circ.

Report a problem with this question

Question 4

  1. (a)

    Out of 30 candidates applying for a post, 17 have degrees, 15 have diplomas and 4 have neither a degree nor a diploma. How many of them have both?

  2. (b)

    In triangle PQRPQR, MM and NN are points on the sides PQPQ and PRPR respectively such that MNMN is parallel to QRQR. If ∠PRQ=75∘\angle PRQ = 75^\circ, ∣PN∣=∣QN∣|PN| = |QN| and ∠PNQ=125∘\angle PNQ = 125^\circ, determine: (i) ∠NQR\angle NQR; (ii) ∠NPM\angle NPM.

    Separate values with commas, e.g. 3, −2

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. Let xx have both.
  2. Degree only is 17−x17 - x and diploma only is 15−x15 - x.
  3. Everyone is in exactly one region: (17−x)+x+(15−x)+4=30(17 - x) + x + (15 - x) + 4 = 30.
  4. Simplify: 36−x=3036 - x = 30, so x=6x = 6.
  5. Six applicants have both.

(b)

  1. Sketch the triangle: NN is on PRPR, MM on PQPQ, and NQNQ is joined.

(i)

  1. MN∥QRMN \parallel QR, so ∠PNM=∠PRQ=75∘\angle PNM = \angle PRQ = 75^\circ (corresponding angles).
  2. ∠MNQ=∠PNQ−∠PNM\angle MNQ = \angle PNQ - \angle PNM
    =125∘−75∘= 125^\circ - 75^\circ
    =50∘= 50^\circ.
  3. ∠NQR=∠MNQ=50∘\angle NQR = \angle MNQ = 50^\circ (alternate angles, MN∥QRMN \parallel QR).

(ii)

  1. ∣PN∣=∣QN∣|PN| = |QN|, so triangle PNQPNQ is isosceles with equal base angles at PP and QQ.
  2. ∠NPM=180∘−125∘2\angle NPM = \frac{180^\circ - 125^\circ}{2}
    =27.5∘= 27.5^\circ.

Report a problem with this question

Question 5

In the diagram, ABCDEFABCDEF is a triangular prism. ∠ABC=∠DEF=90∘\angle ABC = \angle DEF = 90^\circ, ∣AB∣=24|AB| = 24 cm, ∣BC∣=7|BC| = 7 cm and ∣CD∣=40|CD| = 40 cm.

7 cm40 cm24 cmABCDEF
  1. (a)

    Calculate ∣AC∣|AC|.

  2. (b)

    Calculate the total surface area of the prism.

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. Triangle ABCABC is right-angled at BB, so use Pythagoras: ∣AC∣2=242+72|AC|^2 = 24^2 + 7^2.
  2. ∣AC∣2=576+49=625|AC|^2 = 576 + 49 = 625.
  3. So ∣AC∣=25|AC| = 25 cm.

(b)

  1. The prism has two triangular ends and three rectangular faces.
  2. Each triangle: 12×24×7=84 cm2\frac12 \times 24 \times 7 = 84\text{ cm}^2.
  3. Both ends give 168 cm2168\text{ cm}^2.
  4. The rectangles are 24×4024 \times 40, 7×407 \times 40 and 25×4025 \times 40: 960+280+1000=2240 cm2960 + 280 + 1000 = 2240\text{ cm}^2.
  5. Total surface area =168+2240=2408 cm2= 168 + 2240 = 2408\text{ cm}^2.

Report a problem with this question

Question 6

  1. (a)

    If log⁡5=0.6990\log 5 = 0.6990, log⁡7=0.8451\log 7 = 0.8451 and log⁡8=0.9031\log 8 = 0.9031, evaluate log⁡(35×4940÷56)\log\left(\dfrac{35 \times 49}{40 \div 56}\right).

  2. (b)(i)

    For a musical show, xx children were present. There were 60 more adults than children. An adult paid D5 and a child D2. If a total of D1280 was collected, calculate the value of xx.

  3. (b)(ii)

    Calculate the ratio of the number of children to the number of adults.

  4. (b)(iii)

    Calculate the average amount paid per person.

  5. (b)(iv)

    Calculate the percentage profit if the organisers spent D720 on the show.

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. Write each number with factors 5, 7 and 8: 35=5×735 = 5 \times 7, 49=7×749 = 7 \times 7, 40=5×840 = 5 \times 8, 56=7×856 = 7 \times 8.
  2. Dividing by 40÷5640 \div 56 is multiplying by 5640\frac{56}{40}: the number is 5×7×7×7×7×85×8=74\frac{5 \times 7 \times 7 \times 7 \times 7 \times 8}{5 \times 8} = 7^4.
  3. So the log is 4log⁡7=4×0.8451=3.38044\log 7 = 4 \times 0.8451 = 3.3804.

(b)(i)

  1. Adults =x+60= x + 60.
  2. Money collected: 2x+5(x+60)=12802x + 5(x + 60) = 1280.
  3. Expand: 7x+300=12807x + 300 = 1280, so 7x=9807x = 980 and x=140x = 140.

(ii)

  1. There were 140 children and 200 adults: the ratio is 140:200=7:10140 : 200 = 7 : 10.

(iii)

  1. Number of people =140+200=340= 140 + 200 = 340.
  2. Average =1280340=3.76= \frac{1280}{340} = 3.76, so D3.76 per person.

(iv)

  1. Profit =1280−720=560= 1280 - 720 = 560, so the profit is D560.
  2. Percentage profit =560720×100=77.8%= \frac{560}{720} \times 100 = 77.8\%.

Report a problem with this question

Question 7

  1. (a)

    A woman looking out from the window of a building at a height of 30 m observed that the angle of depression of the top of a flag pole was 44∘44^\circ. If the foot of the pole is 25 m from the foot of the building and on the same horizontal ground, find, correct to the nearest whole number, the: (i) angle of depression of the foot of the pole from the woman; (ii) height of the flag pole.

    Separate values with commas, e.g. 3, −2

  2. (b)

    In the diagram, OO is the centre of the circle, ∠OQR=32∘\angle OQR = 32^\circ and ∠TPQ=15∘\angle TPQ = 15^\circ. Calculate: (i) ∠QPR\angle QPR; (ii) ∠TQO\angle TQO.

    15°32°PSRQTO

    Separate values with commas, e.g. 3, −2

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. Sketch it: the window WW is 30 m above the foot FF of the building.
  2. The pole stands 25 m away with foot OO and top TT.

(i)

  1. The angle of depression xx of the foot equals the angle of elevation of WW from OO: tan⁡x=3025=1.2\tan x = \frac{30}{25} = 1.2.
  2. So x=tan⁡−1(1.2)=50.2∘x = \tan^{-1}(1.2) = 50.2^\circ, which is 50∘50^\circ to the nearest degree.

(ii)

  1. The horizontal line from the window meets the pole 25 m away.
  2. The drop from the window to the top of the pole is 25tan⁡44∘=24.1425\tan 44^\circ = 24.14 m.
  3. Height of pole =30−24.14=5.86= 30 - 24.14 = 5.86 m, which is 6 m to the nearest metre.

(b)(i)

  1. ∣OQ∣=∣OR∣|OQ| = |OR| (radii), so ∠ORQ=32∘\angle ORQ = 32^\circ and ∠QOR=180∘−2(32∘)\angle QOR = 180^\circ - 2(32^\circ)
    =116∘= 116^\circ.
  2. The angle at the centre is twice the angle at the circumference: ∠QPR=116∘2\angle QPR = \frac{116^\circ}{2}
    =58∘= 58^\circ.

(ii)

  1. ∠TPR=∠TPQ+∠QPR\angle TPR = \angle TPQ + \angle QPR
    =15∘+58∘= 15^\circ + 58^\circ
    =73∘= 73^\circ.
  2. QTPRQTPR is a cyclic quadrilateral, so opposite angles add to 180∘180^\circ: ∠TQR=180∘−73∘\angle TQR = 180^\circ - 73^\circ
    =107∘= 107^\circ.
  3. ∠TQO=∠TQR−∠OQR\angle TQO = \angle TQR - \angle OQR
    =107∘−32∘= 107^\circ - 32^\circ
    =75∘= 75^\circ.

Report a problem with this question

Question 8✱

The marks scored by 50 students in a Geography examination are as follows:

60 54 40 67 53 73 37 55 62 43
44 69 39 32 45 58 48 67 39 51
46 59 40 52 61 48 23 60 59 47
65 58 74 47 40 59 68 51 50 50
71 51 26 36 38 70 46 40 51 42
  1. (a)

    Using class intervals 21 – 30, 31 – 40, …, prepare a frequency distribution table.

    Model answer
    Marks 21–30 31–40 41–50 51–60 61–70 71–80
    Class mark xx 25.5 35.5 45.5 55.5 65.5 75.5
    Frequency ff 2 10 12 15 8 3
    fxfx 51 355 546 832.5 524 226.5

    The frequencies add up to 50 and ∑fx=2535\sum fx = 2535.

  2. (b)

    Calculate the mean mark of the distribution.

  3. (c)

    What percentage of the students scored more than 60 marks?

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. Tally each mark into its class.
  2. The frequencies are 2, 10, 12, 15, 8 and 3.
  3. Check they add up to 50.

(b)

  1. Class marks are the midpoints: 25.5,35.5,…,75.525.5, 35.5, \dots, 75.5.
  2. Multiply each by its frequency: 51,355,546,832.5,524,226.551, 355, 546, 832.5, 524, 226.5.
  3. Add them: ∑fx=2535\sum fx = 2535.
  4. Mean =∑fx∑f= \frac{\sum fx}{\sum f}
    =253550= \frac{2535}{50}
    =50.7= 50.7.

(c)

  1. More than 60 marks means the classes 61–70 and 71–80: 8+3=118 + 3 = 11 students.
  2. Percentage =1150×100=22%= \frac{11}{50} \times 100 = 22\%.

Report a problem with this question

Question 9

  1. (a)

    Simplify x+2x−2−x+3x−1\dfrac{x + 2}{x - 2} - \dfrac{x + 3}{x - 1}.

  2. (b)(i)

    The graph of the equation y=Ax2+Bx+Cy = Ax^2 + Bx + C passes through the points (0,0)(0, 0), (1,4)(1, 4) and (2,10)(2, 10). Find the value of CC.

  3. (b)(ii)

    Find the values of AA and BB.

    Separate values with commas, e.g. 3, −2

  4. (b)(iii)

    Find the coordinates of the other point where the graph cuts the xx-axis.

    Separate values with commas, e.g. 3, −2

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. Use the common denominator (x−2)(x−1)(x - 2)(x - 1): the top is (x+2)(x−1)−(x+3)(x−2)(x + 2)(x - 1) - (x + 3)(x - 2).
  2. Expand: (x2+x−2)−(x2+x−6)(x^2 + x - 2) - (x^2 + x - 6).
  3. Subtract: the top is 44, so the answer is 4(x−2)(x−1)\dfrac{4}{(x - 2)(x - 1)}.

(b)(i)

  1. Put in (0,0)(0, 0): 0=A(0)+B(0)+C0 = A(0) + B(0) + C, so C=0C = 0.

(ii)

  1. Put in (1,4)(1, 4): A+B=4A + B = 4.
  2. Put in (2,10)(2, 10): 4A+2B=104A + 2B = 10, so 2A+B=52A + B = 5.
  3. Subtract the first equation from the second: A=1A = 1.
  4. Then B=4−1=3B = 4 - 1 = 3.

(iii)

  1. The curve is y=x2+3xy = x^2 + 3x.
  2. On the xx-axis y=0y = 0: x(x+3)=0x(x + 3) = 0, so x=0x = 0 or x=−3x = -3.
  3. (0,0)(0, 0) is given, so the other point is (−3,0)(-3, 0).

Report a problem with this question

Question 10

  1. (a)

    Using a ruler and a pair of compasses only, construct: (i) quadrilateral PQRSPQRS such that ∣PQ∣=10|PQ| = 10 cm, ∣QR∣=8|QR| = 8 cm, ∣PS∣=6|PS| = 6 cm, ∠PQR=60∘\angle PQR = 60^\circ and ∠QPS=75∘\angle QPS = 75^\circ; (ii) the locus l1l_1 of points equidistant from QRQR and RSRS; (iii) the locus l2l_2 of points equidistant from RR and SS.

    Model answer
    60°75°10 cml1l2PQRS

    Draw PQ=10PQ = 10 cm. At QQ construct 60∘60^\circ and mark RR with QR=8QR = 8 cm. At PP construct 75∘75^\circ (60∘60^\circ plus half of the 30∘30^\circ between 60∘60^\circ and 90∘90^\circ) and mark SS with PS=6PS = 6 cm. Join RSRS. l1l_1 is the bisector of angle QRSQRS; l2l_2 is the perpendicular bisector of RSRS. Leave every construction arc visible.

  2. (b)

    Measure ∣RS∣|RS|.

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)(i)

  1. Draw PQ=10PQ = 10 cm.
  2. At QQ, construct 60∘60^\circ (an arc, then the same radius from where it cuts QPQP) and mark RR on the arm with QR=8QR = 8 cm.
  3. At PP, construct 90∘90^\circ and 60∘60^\circ, then bisect the angle between them to get 75∘75^\circ.
  4. Mark SS with PS=6PS = 6 cm and join RSRS.

(ii)

  1. Points equidistant from the lines QRQR and RSRS lie on the bisector of angle QRSQRS: draw it and label it l1l_1.

(iii)

  1. Points equidistant from RR and SS lie on the perpendicular bisector of RSRS: draw it and label it l2l_2.

(b)

  1. Measure RSRS with the ruler: ∣RS∣≈4.6|RS| \approx 4.6 cm.

Report a problem with this question

Question 11

  1. (a)

    A circle is inscribed in a square. If the sum of the perimeter of the square and the circumference of the circle is 100 cm, calculate the radius of the circle. [Take π=227\pi = \frac{22}{7}]

  2. (b)

    A rope 60 cm long is made to form a rectangle. If the length is 4 times its breadth, calculate, correct to one decimal place, the: (i) length; (ii) diagonal of the rectangle.

    Separate values with commas, e.g. 3, −2

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. The circle touches all four sides, so the side of the square is the diameter 2r2r.
  2. Perimeter of the square =4×2r=8r= 4 \times 2r = 8r.
  3. Circumference =2πr=447r= 2\pi r = \frac{44}{7}r.
  4. Add them: 8r+447r=1008r + \frac{44}{7}r = 100, so 1007r=100\frac{100}{7}r = 100.
  5. So r=7r = 7 cm.

(b)(i)

  1. Let the breadth be bb.
  2. The length is 4b4b.
  3. The rope is the perimeter: 2(4b+b)=602(4b + b) = 60.
  4. So 10b=6010b = 60 and b=6b = 6 cm.
  5. The length is 4×6=24.04 \times 6 = 24.0 cm.

(ii)

  1. Pythagoras: diagonal =242+62=612=24.7= \sqrt{24^2 + 6^2} = \sqrt{612} = 24.7 cm.

Report a problem with this question

Question 12

  1. (a)

    Copy and complete the table of values for y=sin⁡x+2cos⁡xy = \sin x + 2\cos x, correct to one decimal place.

    xx 0∘0^\circ 30∘30^\circ 60∘60^\circ 90∘90^\circ 120∘120^\circ 150∘150^\circ 180∘180^\circ 210∘210^\circ 240∘240^\circ
    yy 2.22.2 −1.2-1.2 −2.0-2.0 −1.9-1.9
    Model answer
    xx 0∘0^\circ 30∘30^\circ 60∘60^\circ 90∘90^\circ 120∘120^\circ 150∘150^\circ 180∘180^\circ 210∘210^\circ 240∘240^\circ
    yy 2.02.0 2.22.2 1.91.9 1.01.0 −0.1-0.1 −1.2-1.2 −2.0-2.0 −2.2-2.2 −1.9-1.9
  2. (b)

    Using a scale of 2 cm to 30∘30^\circ on the xx-axis and 2 cm to 0.5 units on the yy-axis, draw the graph of y=sin⁡x+2cos⁡xy = \sin x + 2\cos x for 0∘≤x≤240∘0^\circ \le x \le 240^\circ.

    Model answer
    30°60°90°120°150°180°210°240°−2−1.5−1−0.50.511.52xy117°y = 2.1y = sin x + 2 cos x

    Plot the nine points from the table and join them with one smooth curve. Scale: 2 cm to 30∘30^\circ, 2 cm to 0.5 units. The curve falls from 2 at 0∘0^\circ (after a small rise to about 2.2 near 27∘27^\circ), crosses the xx-axis near 117∘117^\circ and reaches about −2.2-2.2 near 207∘207^\circ.

    For (c) and (d): the curve crosses y=0y = 0 at x≈117∘x \approx 117^\circ; the line y=2.1y = 2.1 meets it at x≈6∘x \approx 6^\circ and 47∘47^\circ; at x=171∘x = 171^\circ, y≈−1.8y \approx -1.8.

  3. (c)(i)

    Use your graph to solve the equation sin⁡x+2cos⁡x=0\sin x + 2\cos x = 0.

  4. (c)(ii)

    Use your graph to solve the equation sin⁡x=2.1−2cos⁡x\sin x = 2.1 - 2\cos x.

    Separate values with commas, e.g. 3, −2

  5. (d)

    From the graph, find yy when x=171∘x = 171^\circ.

Try it on a graph

x in degrees. The x-axis gives (c)(i); the line y = 2.1 gives (c)(ii).

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. Work out each value in degree mode and round to 1 decimal place.
  2. For example, x=60∘x = 60^\circ: 0.866+2(0.5)=1.866≈1.90.866 + 2(0.5) = 1.866 \approx 1.9.
  3. x=120∘x = 120^\circ: 0.866+2(−0.5)=−0.134≈−0.10.866 + 2(-0.5) = -0.134 \approx -0.1.
  4. The completed row is 2.0,2.2,1.9,1.0,−0.1,−1.2,−2.0,−2.2,−1.92.0, 2.2, 1.9, 1.0, -0.1, -1.2, -2.0, -2.2, -1.9.

(b)

  1. Plot the points with the given scales and join them with a smooth curve.

(c)(i)

  1. sin⁡x+2cos⁡x=0\sin x + 2\cos x = 0 where the curve crosses the xx-axis: x≈117∘x \approx 117^\circ (exactly, tan⁡x=−2\tan x = -2 gives 116.6∘116.6^\circ).

(ii)

  1. Rearrange: sin⁡x+2cos⁡x=2.1\sin x + 2\cos x = 2.1.
  2. Draw the line y=2.1y = 2.1 and read down where it meets the curve: x≈6∘x \approx 6^\circ and x≈47∘x \approx 47^\circ.

(d)

  1. Read up from x=171∘x = 171^\circ to the curve and across: y≈−1.8y \approx -1.8.

Report a problem with this question

Question 13

  1. (a)

    How many numbers between 75 and 500 are divisible by 7?

  2. (b)

    The 8th term of an arithmetic progression (A.P.) is 5 times the third term, while the 7th term is 9 greater than the 4th term. Write down the first five terms of the A.P.

    Separate values with commas, e.g. 3, −2

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. The multiples of 7 between 75 and 500 form an A.P.: the first is 7777 (7×117 \times 11) and the last is 497497 (7×717 \times 71), with d=7d = 7.
  2. Use Tn=a+(n−1)dT_n = a + (n - 1)d: 497=77+(n−1)×7497 = 77 + (n - 1) \times 7.
  3. So (n−1)×7=420(n - 1) \times 7 = 420, n−1=60n - 1 = 60 and n=61n = 61.
  4. There are 61 such numbers.

(b)

  1. "7th term is 9 greater than the 4th": a+6d=a+3d+9a + 6d = a + 3d + 9, so 3d=93d = 9 and d=3d = 3.
  2. "8th term is 5 times the 3rd": a+7d=5(a+2d)a + 7d = 5(a + 2d), so a+7d=5a+10da + 7d = 5a + 10d and 4a=−3d4a = -3d.
  3. Put in d=3d = 3: 4a=−94a = -9, so a=−94a = -\frac94.
  4. Add 3 each time: the first five terms are −94,34,154,274,394-\frac94, \frac34, \frac{15}{4}, \frac{27}{4}, \frac{39}{4}.

Report a problem with this question