Word problems remain the most feared section in the Common Entrance Mathematics exam. Many brilliant pupils lose valuable marks not because they can’t do the math, but because they get confused by the wording.
Here are the **Top 10 Trickiest Word Problems** that frequently appear in Nigerian Common Entrance exams — along with clear strategies and growth mindset tips to help your child solve them confidently.
1. Age Problems
Example: A mother is 3 times as old as her daughter. In 12 years’ time, she will be twice as old as her daughter. How old is the daughter now?
Trick: Pupils often set up the equation wrongly. Teach them to use “let the daughter’s age be x” and build from there.
2. Work Rate / Time and Work Problems
Example: A pipe fills a tank in 6 hours while another empties it in 8 hours. How long will it take to fill the tank if both are open?
Key Strategy: Always convert to “work per hour” (fraction of the tank per hour).
3. Ratio and Proportion Word Problems
Example: The ratio of boys to girls in a school is 5:4. If there are 180 more boys than girls, how many pupils are in the school?
4. Profit, Loss and Discount Problems
Example: A trader sold an article at a 20% loss. If he had sold it for ₦800 more, he would have made a 5% profit. Find the cost price.
5. Speed, Distance and Time (Relative Speed)
Example: Two cars start from the same point and travel in opposite directions. One travels at 60 km/h and the other at 75 km/h. How far apart will they be after 3 hours?
6. Mixture and Alligation Problems
Example: A grocer mixes two types of rice costing ₦300/kg and ₦400/kg. In what ratio should he mix them to sell at ₦350/kg?
7. Boat and Stream / Upstream-Downstream Problems
Example: A boat travels 30 km upstream and 30 km downstream in 5 hours. If the speed of the stream is 5 km/h, find the speed of the boat in still water.
8. Clock and Time Problems
Example: At what time between 4 and 5 o’clock will the hands of the clock be at right angles?
9. Money and Sharing Problems
Example: Three boys shared ₦2,400 in the ratio 3:5:7. How much did the boy with the smallest share receive?
10. Geometry Word Problems (Area & Perimeter in Real Life)
Example: A rectangular garden is 12m longer than it is wide. If the perimeter is 120m, find the area of the garden.
Proven Strategies to Conquer Word Problems
- Always read the question at least twice
- Underline or highlight key information and numbers
- Identify what is being asked (let x = …)
- Draw diagrams or tables when possible
- Check your answer makes sense in the real-world context
- Practice daily with the “Yet” mindset — every missed problem is brain growth!
“The best mathematicians are not those who never get stuck — they are those who refuse to give up when they do.”
– Mathemagician Academy
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Start Practicing Word Problems Now →Final Tip for Parents: Celebrate effort and strategy more than correct answers. Help your child develop the belief that they can solve any problem with persistence and smart thinking.