JAMB Mathematics Syllabus 2027: Full Topics, Objectives and Recommended Textbooks

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Last updated: October, 2027

Writing Mathematics in the 2027 UTME? The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) syllabus tells you exactly which topics the examiners can ask, so you can practise the right things instead of everything.

This page lists all five sections and 23 topics in the official JAMB Mathematics syllabus, the skills you are expected to show on each one, and the textbooks JAMB recommends. You will also find a six-week study plan, sample questions and answers to frequently asked questions.

Quick Facts

• Exam: Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), computer-based
• Subject: Mathematics
• Syllabus sections: 5 (Number and Numeration, Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry, Calculus, Statistics)
• Total topics: 23 main topics (4 in Section I, 6 in Section II, 5 in Section III, 3 in Section IV, 5 in Section V)
• Biggest section: Section II, Algebra (6 topics)
• Source: Official JAMB syllabus

In This Guide

1. Aim and objectives of the syllabus
2. The five sections at a glance
3. Detailed syllabus (topics and what you should be able to do)
4. Recommended textbooks
5. Six-week study plan
6. Sample questions
7. Subject combinations
8. FAQs

Aim and Objectives

The aim of the UTME Mathematics syllabus is to prepare candidates for the Board’s examination and test how well they have achieved the course objectives. Candidates are expected to:

• Acquire computational and manipulative skills.
• Develop precise, logical and formal reasoning skills.
• Develop deductive skills in the interpretation of graphs, diagrams and data.
• Apply mathematical concepts to resolve issues in daily living.

The Five Sections at a Glance

• Section I: Number and Numeration (4 topics): number bases and modular arithmetic, fractions, decimals, approximations and percentages, indices, logarithms and surds, and sets
• Section II: Algebra (6 topics): polynomials, variation, inequalities, progression, binary operations, and matrices and determinants
• Section III: Geometry and Trigonometry (5 topics): Euclidean geometry, mensuration, loci, coordinate geometry and trigonometry
• Section IV: Calculus (3 topics): differentiation, application of differentiation and integration
• Section V: Statistics (5 topics): representation of data, measures of location, measures of dispersion, permutation and combination, and probability

Detailed Syllabus

Section I: Number and Numeration

1. Number Bases and Modular Arithmetic
   • Operations in different number bases from 2 to 10, conversion from one base to another including fractional parts, and modular arithmetic
   • You should be able to: perform the four basic operations in other bases, convert between bases and perform operations in modulo arithmetic.
2. Fractions, Decimals, Approximations and Percentages
   • Fractions and decimals, significant figures, decimal places, percentage error, simple interest, profit and loss per cent, ratio, proportion and rate, shares and value added tax (VAT)
   • You should be able to: perform operations on fractions and decimals, express numbers to given significant figures and decimal places, calculate simple interest, profit and loss, ratio, rate and percentage error, and solve problems involving shares and VAT.
3. Indices, Logarithms and Surds
   • Laws of indices, equations involving indices, standard form, laws of logarithm, logarithm of any positive number to a given base, change of base, the relationship between indices and logarithms, and surds
   • You should be able to: apply the laws of indices, solve equations involving indices, solve problems in logarithms in different bases, and simplify, rationalize and operate on surds.
4. Sets
   • Types of sets, algebra of sets, Venn diagrams and their applications
   • You should be able to: identify empty, universal, complement, sub-, finite, infinite and disjoint sets, solve problems on cardinality and with set symbols, and use Venn diagrams for not more than three sets.

Section II: Algebra

1. Polynomials
   • Change of subject of a formula, operations on polynomials, factorization of polynomials of degree not exceeding 3, roots of polynomials not exceeding degree 3, the factor and remainder theorems, simultaneous equations (one linear, one quadratic), and graphs of polynomials of degree not greater than 3
   • You should be able to: change the subject of a formula, apply the factor and remainder theorems, factorize by regrouping, difference of two squares, perfect squares and cubic expressions, solve simultaneous equations, and interpret graphs including maximum and minimum values.
2. Variation
   • Direct, inverse, joint and partial variation, and percentage increase and decrease
   • You should be able to: solve problems on direct, inverse, joint and partial variation, and on percentage increase and decrease.
3. Inequalities
   • Analytical and graphical solutions of linear inequalities, and quadratic inequalities with integral roots only
   • You should be able to: solve linear and quadratic inequalities and interpret their graphs.
4. Progression
   • The nth term of a progression, and the sum of an arithmetic progression (A.P.) and a geometric progression (G.P.)
   • You should be able to: find the nth term, compute the sum of an A.P. or G.P., and find the sum to infinity of a G.P.
5. Binary Operations
   • Properties of closure, commutativity, associativity and distributivity, and identity and inverse elements (simple cases only)
   • You should be able to: solve problems on these properties and on identity and inverse elements.
6. Matrices and Determinants
   • Algebra of matrices not exceeding 3 x 3, determinants of matrices not exceeding 3 x 3, and inverses of 2 x 2 matrices
   • You should be able to: perform basic operations on matrices, calculate determinants and compute inverses of 2 x 2 matrices.

Section III: Geometry and Trigonometry

1. Euclidean Geometry
   • Properties of angles and lines, polygons (triangles, quadrilaterals and general polygons), circles (angle properties, cyclic quadrilaterals, intersecting chords) and construction
   • You should be able to: identify types of lines and angles, solve problems on polygons, calculate angles using circle theorems, and identify construction procedures for special angles such as 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 degrees.
2. Mensuration
   • Lengths and areas of plane figures, lengths of arcs and chords, perimeters and areas of sectors and segments, surface areas and volumes of simple solids and composite figures, and the earth as a sphere (longitudes and latitudes)
   • You should be able to: calculate perimeters and areas of triangles, quadrilaterals, circles and composite figures, find arc lengths, chord lengths and the areas of sectors and segments, calculate the surface areas and volumes of cuboids, cylinders, cones, pyramids, prisms and spheres, and find the distance between two points on the earth’s surface.
3. Loci
   • Locus in two dimensions based on geometric principles relating to lines and curves
   • You should be able to: identify and interpret loci relating to parallel lines, perpendicular bisectors, angle bisectors and circles.
4. Coordinate Geometry
   • Midpoint and gradient of a line segment, distance between two points, parallel and perpendicular lines, and equations of straight lines
   • You should be able to: find the midpoint, gradient and distance, state the conditions for parallel and perpendicular lines, and find the equation of a line in two-point, point-slope, slope-intercept and general forms.
5. Trigonometry
   • Trigonometrical ratios of angles, angles of elevation and depression, bearings, areas and solutions of triangles, graphs of sine and cosine, and the sine and cosine formulae
   • You should be able to: calculate the sine, cosine and tangent of angles from -360 to 360 degrees, use special angles, solve problems on elevation, depression and bearings, find areas of triangles, and solve problems involving sine and cosine graphs.

Section IV: Calculus

1. Differentiation
   • Limit of a function, and differentiation of explicit algebraic and simple trigonometrical functions (sine, cosine and tangent)
   • You should be able to: find the limit of a function and differentiate algebraic and simple trigonometric functions.
2. Application of Differentiation
   • Rate of change, and maxima and minima
   • You should be able to: solve problems on rate of change, maxima and minima.
3. Integration
   • Integration of explicit algebraic and simple trigonometrical functions, and area under the curve
   • You should be able to: integrate algebraic and simple trigonometric functions, and calculate the area under a curve (simple cases only).

Section V: Statistics

1. Representation of Data
   • Frequency distribution, histogram, bar chart and pie chart
   • You should be able to: identify and interpret frequency distribution tables and information on histograms, bar charts and pie charts.
2. Measures of Location
   • Mean, mode and median of ungrouped and grouped data (simple cases only), and cumulative frequency
   • You should be able to: calculate the mean, mode and median, and use the ogive to find the median, quartiles and percentiles.
3. Measures of Dispersion
   • Range, mean deviation, variance and standard deviation
   • You should be able to: calculate these for ungrouped and grouped data.
4. Permutation and Combination
   • Linear and circular arrangements, and arrangements involving repeated objects
   • You should be able to: solve simple problems on permutation and combination.
5. Probability
   • Experimental probability (tossing a coin, throwing a die and similar), and addition and multiplication of probabilities (mutual and independent cases)
   • You should be able to: solve simple problems in probability, including addition and multiplication.

Recommended Textbooks

JAMB lists these texts for Mathematics:

• 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. and 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.

Six-Week Study Plan

• Week 1: Section I. Practise number bases, percentages, indices, logarithms, surds and sets.
• Week 2: Section II, topics 1 to 3 (polynomials, variation, inequalities).
• Week 3: Section II, topics 4 to 6 (progression, binary operations, matrices), then start Section III.
• Week 4: Section III. Practise geometry, mensuration, loci, coordinate geometry and trigonometry.
• Week 5: Sections IV and V. Practise differentiation, integration, statistics, permutation, combination and probability.
• Week 6: Revise weak topics and practise past questions under timed conditions.

Tips:

• Mathematics is learned by solving problems, not reading. Do some questions every day.
• Learn the formulae and laws: indices, logarithms, circle theorems, area and volume formulae, trigonometric ratios, differentiation and integration rules.
• Practise time management. Do the questions you know first, then return to the harder ones.
• Learn the “simple cases only” limits in the syllabus. For example, integration is limited to simple area under a curve, and matrix inverses are for 2 x 2 matrices.
• Use the syllabus objectives as a checklist. If you cannot do what an objective says, you are not ready on that topic.

Sample Questions

1. Convert 101 (base 2) to base 10. A. 3 B. 4 C. 5 D. 6 Answer: C
2. Solve 2x + 3 = 11. A. 3 B. 4 C. 5 D. 7 Answer: B
3. Evaluate log of 100 to base 10. A. 1 B. 2 C. 10 D. 100 Answer: B
4. Find the sum of the first three terms of the A.P. 2, 5, 8, … A. 10 B. 12 C. 15 D. 18 Answer: C
5. Differentiate y = x squared with respect to x. A. x B. 2x C. x squared D. 2 Answer: B

Subject Combinations

Mathematics is commonly required for courses such as Engineering, Computer Science, Accounting, Economics, Banking and Finance, Physics, Statistics, Architecture and many science and management courses. Always check your chosen course and university in the JAMB brochure for the exact combination.

Related: JAMB Subject Combination for Science Students | JAMB Brochure | JAMB Recommended Textbooks for All Subjects | JAMB UTME Registration Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the JAMB Mathematics syllabus?

It is the official JAMB document that lists the topics and learning objectives candidates must cover for Mathematics in the UTME.

How many sections are in the JAMB Mathematics syllabus?

Five: Number and Numeration, Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry, Calculus, and Statistics.

How many topics are in the syllabus?

Twenty-three main topics across the five sections.

Which section has the most topics?

Algebra, with six topics: polynomials, variation, inequalities, progression, binary operations, and matrices and determinants.

Does the syllabus include calculus?

Yes. Section IV covers differentiation, applications such as rate of change and maxima and minima, and integration including simple area under a curve.

Where can I get past questions for Mathematics?

Click here

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