JAMB Syllabus for Mathematics

The JAMB syllabus for Mathematics is divided into 5 sections, which include 23 topics. Each section includes its own topics and sub-topics.

This is the IBASS JAMB Mathematics syllabus.

What is the JAMB Syllabus for Mathematics?

The JAMB syllabus for Mathematics includes 5 main sections.

Students studying without the syllabus might end up not covering concepts that questions could come from or spending time reading topics that don't matter.

The aim of JAMB is to prepare each candidate for the Board's examination. It is designed to test the achievement of course objectives, which are 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

The JAMB Syllabus for 2027 includes the following key sections, topics, sub-topics and objectives:

You can also check our complete JAMB syllabus page to find the syllabus for other JAMB subjects.

SECTION I: NUMBER AND NUMERATION

1. Number Bases/Modular Arithmetic

Sub-Topics:

a. Operations in different number bases from 2 to 10
b. Conversion from one base to another, including fractional parts
c. Modular arithmetic

Objectives: Candidates should be able to:

i. Perform four basic operations (×, +, −, ÷)
ii. Convert one base to another
iii. Perform operations in modulo arithmetic

2. Fractions, Decimals, Approximations and Percentages

Sub-Topics:

a. Fractions and decimals
b. Significant figures
c. Decimal places
d. Percentage errors
e. Simple interest
f. Profit and loss percent
g. Ratio, proportion and rate
h. Shares and value added tax (VAT)

Objectives: Candidates should be able to:

i. Perform basic operations (×, +, −, ÷) on fractions and decimals
ii. Express to specified number of significant figures and decimal places
iii. Calculate simple interest, profit and loss per cent; ratio, proportion, rate and percentage error
iv. Solve problems involving share and VAT

3. Indices, Logarithms and Surds

Sub-Topics:

a. Laws of indices
b. Equations involving indices
c. Standard form
d. Laws of logarithm
e. Logarithm of any positive number to a given base
f. Change of bases in logarithm and application
g. Relationship between indices and logarithm
h. Surds

Objectives: Candidates should be able to:

i. Apply the laws of indices in calculation
ii. Establish the relationship between indices and logarithms in solving problems
iii. Solve equations involving indices
iv. Solve problems in different bases in logarithms
v. Simplify and rationalize surds
vi. Perform basic operations on surds

4. Sets

Sub-Topics:

a. Types of sets
b. Algebra of sets
c. Venn diagrams and their applications

Objectives: Candidates should be able to:

i. Identify types of sets, i.e. empty, universal, complements, subsets, finite, infinite and disjoint sets
ii. Solve problems involving cardinality of sets
iii. Solve set problems using symbols
iv. Use Venn diagrams to solve problems involving not more than 3 sets

SECTION II: ALGEBRA

1. Polynomials

Sub-Topics:

a. Change of subject of formula
b. Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of polynomials
c. Factorization of polynomials of degree not exceeding 3
d. Roots of polynomials not exceeding degree 3
e. Factor and remainder theorems
f. Simultaneous equations, including one linear and one quadratic
g. Graphs of polynomials of degree not greater than 3

Objectives: Candidates should be able to:

i. Find the subject of the formula of a given equation
ii. Apply factor and remainder theorem to factorize a given expression
iii. Multiply and divide polynomials of degree not more than 3, and determine values of defined and undefined expressions
iv. Factorize by regrouping, difference of two squares, perfect squares and cubic expressions, etc.
v. Solve simultaneous equations — one linear, one quadratic
vi. Interpret graphs of polynomials, including applications to maximum and minimum values

2. Variation

Sub-Topics:

a. Direct
b. Inverse
c. Joint
d. Partial
e. Percentage increase and decrease

Objectives: Candidates should be able to:

i. Solve problems involving direct, inverse, joint and partial variations
ii. Solve problems on percentage increase and decrease in variation

3. Inequalities

Sub-Topics:

a. Analytical and graphical solutions of linear inequalities
b. Quadratic inequalities with integral roots only

Objectives: Candidates should be able to:

i. Solve problems on linear and quadratic inequalities
ii. Interpret graphs of inequalities

4. Progression

Sub-Topics:

a. Nth term of a progression
b. Sum of A.P. and G.P.

Objectives: Candidates should be able to:

i. Determine the nth term of a progression
ii. Compute the sum of A.P. and G.P.
iii. Find the sum to infinity of a given G.P.

5. Binary Operations

Sub-Topics:

a. Properties of closure, commutativity, associativity and distributivity
b. Identity and inverse elements (simple cases only)

Objectives: Candidates should be able to:

i. Solve problems involving closure, commutativity, associativity and distributivity
ii. Solve problems involving identity and inverse elements

6. Matrices and Determinants

Sub-Topics:

a. Algebra of matrices not exceeding 3 x 3
b. Determinants of matrices not exceeding 3 x 3
c. Inverses of 2 x 2 matrices (excluding quadratic and higher-degree equations)

Objectives: Candidates should be able to:

i. Perform basic operations (×, +, −, ÷) on matrices
ii. Calculate determinants
iii. Compute inverses of 2 x 2 matrices

SECTION III: GEOMETRY AND TRIGONOMETRY

1. Euclidean Geometry

Sub-Topics:

a. Properties of angles and lines
b. Polygons: triangles, quadrilaterals and general polygons
c. Circles: angle properties, cyclic quadrilaterals and intersecting chords
d. Construction

Objectives: Candidates should be able to:

i. Identify various types of lines and angles
ii. Solve problems involving polygons
iii. Calculate angles using circle theorems
iv. Identify construction procedures of special angles, e.g. 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°, etc.

2. Mensuration

Sub-Topics:

a. Lengths and areas of plane geometrical figures
b. Lengths of arcs and chords of a circle
c. Perimeters and areas of sectors and segments of circles
d. Surface areas and volumes of simple solids and composite figures
e. The earth as a sphere: longitudes and latitudes

Objectives: Candidates should be able to:

i. Calculate the perimeters and areas of triangles, quadrilaterals, circles and composite figures
ii. Find the length of an arc, a chord, perimeters and areas of sectors and segments of circles
iii. Calculate total surface areas and volumes of cuboids, cylinders, cones, pyramids, prisms, spheres and composite figures
iv. Determine the distance between two points on the earth's surface

3. Loci

Sub-Topics:

a. Locus in 2 dimensions, based on geometric principles relating to lines and curves

Objectives: Candidates should be able to:

i. Identify and interpret loci relating to parallel lines, perpendicular bisectors, angle bisectors and circles

4. Coordinate Geometry

Sub-Topics:

a. Midpoint and gradient of a line segment
b. Distance between two points
c. Parallel and perpendicular lines
d. Equations of straight lines

Objectives: Candidates should be able to:

i. Determine the midpoint and gradient of a line segment
ii. Find the distance between two points
iii. Identify conditions for parallelism and perpendicularity
iv. Find the equation of a line in the two-point form, point-slope form, slope-intercept form and the general form

5. Trigonometry

Sub-Topics:

a. Trigonometrical ratios of angles
b. Angles of elevation and depression
c. Bearings
d. Areas and solutions of triangles
e. Graphs of sine and cosine
f. Sine and cosine formulae

Objectives: Candidates should be able to:

i. Calculate the sine, cosine and tangent of angles between −360° ≤ θ ≤ 360°
ii. Apply special angles, e.g. 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°, 105°, 135°, to solve simple problems in trigonometry
iii. Solve problems involving angles of elevation and depression
iv. Solve problems involving bearings
v. Apply trigonometric formulae to find areas of triangles
vi. Solve problems involving sine and cosine graphs

SECTION IV: CALCULUS

1. Differentiation

Sub-Topics:

a. Limit of a function
b. Differentiation of explicit algebraic and simple trigonometrical functions — sine, cosine and tangent

Objectives: Candidates should be able to:

i. Find the limit of a function
ii. Differentiate explicit algebraic and simple trigonometrical functions

2. Application of Differentiation

Sub-Topics:

a. Rate of change
b. Maxima and minima

Objectives: Candidates should be able to:

i. Solve problems involving applications of rate of change, maxima and minima

3. Integration

Sub-Topics:

a. Integration of explicit algebraic and simple trigonometrical functions
b. Area under the curve

Objectives: Candidates should be able to:

i. Solve problems of integration involving algebraic and simple trigonometric functions
ii. Calculate area under the curve (simple cases only)

SECTION V: STATISTICS

1. Representation of Data

Sub-Topics:

a. Frequency distribution
b. Histogram, bar chart and pie chart

Objectives: Candidates should be able to:

i. Identify and interpret frequency distribution tables
ii. Interpret information on histogram, bar chart and pie chart

2. Measures of Location

Sub-Topics:

a. Mean, mode and median of ungrouped and grouped data (simple cases only)
b. Cumulative frequency

Objectives: Candidates should be able to:

i. Calculate the mean, mode and median of ungrouped and grouped data (simple cases only)
ii. Use Ogive to find the median, quartiles and percentiles

3. Measures of Dispersion

Sub-Topics:

a. 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

4. Permutation and Combination

Sub-Topics:

a. Linear and circular arrangements
b. Arrangements involving repeated objects

Objectives: Candidates should be able to:

Solve simple problems involving permutation and combination

5. Probability

Sub-Topics:

a. Experimental probability (tossing of a coin, throwing of a die, etc.)
b. Addition and multiplication of probabilities (mutual and independent cases)

Objectives: Candidates should be able to:

Solve simple problems in probability (including addition and multiplication)

With this, you can plan your timetable and reading around the syllabus, which can lead to better results.

You can also check our guide on how to write JAMB and pass for more practical preparation tips.

To download the official JAMB Syllabus for Mathematics 2027 PDF, visit the official IBASS JAMB syllabus portal: https://ibass.jamb.gov.ng/e-syllabus

JAMB Recommended Textbooks for Mathematics

JAMB Mathematics has 40 questions, which you have to answer within the 2 hours allocated to the 4 subjects you registered for.

Studying without the recommended textbooks is another reason students may score low. Using the recommended textbooks is like using a map when journeying through an unknown land. Other textbooks may cover the same topics, but you might end up missing some key points and helpful hints.

Here is the list of JAMB-recommended textbooks:

• 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.
• Wisdomline Pass at Once JAMB.

Making use of the recommended textbooks is another way to maximize your study time, especially when paired with the syllabus. Other textbooks may explain too little or cover broader topics that are not needed for the examination.