Academic Year 2026–2027 UNISA Assignment: BNU1501 Basic Numeracy
Fully Solved Assignment with Verified Answers | Mathematical Literacy,
Numeracy Skills, Problem Solving, Number Operations, Quantitative
Reasoning and Everyday Mathematics
,Question 1: What is the result of calculating 15 + (8 × 3) - 12 ÷ 4?
A. 36
B. 38
C. 39
D. 42
CORRECT ANSWER: A. 36
Rationale: Following the order of operations (BODMAS/PEMDAS), we first calculate the
brackets and multiplication/division from left to right: 8 × 3 = 24 and 12 ÷ 4 = 3. The expression
becomes 15 + 24 - 3 = 36.
Question 2: If a jacket originally costs R850 and is discounted by 20%, what is the sale
price?
A. R170
B. R680
C. R700
D. R830
CORRECT ANSWER: B. R680
Rationale: The discount amount is 20% of R850, which is 0.20 × 850 = R170. The sale price is
R850 - R170 = R680.
Question 3: What is the value of 3/5 expressed as a percentage?
A. 30%
B. 35%
C. 60%
D. 65%
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 60%
Rationale: To convert a fraction to a percentage, multiply by 100: (3/5) × 100 = 60%.
Question 4: Which of the following numbers is a prime number?
A. 21
B. 27
C. 31
D. 39
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 31
Rationale: A prime number has exactly two distinct factors: 1 and itself. 31 is only divisible by 1
and 31, making it prime. The other options are composite (21=3×7, 27=3³, 39=3×13).
Question 5: A rectangle has a length of 12 cm and a breadth of 5 cm. What is its perimeter?
A. 17 cm
B. 34 cm
C. 60 cm
D. 120 cm
,CORRECT ANSWER: B. 34 cm
Rationale: The perimeter of a rectangle is calculated using the formula P = 2 × (length +
breadth). P = 2 × (12 + 5) = 2 × 17 = 34 cm.
Question 6: Convert 0.75 into a fraction in its simplest form.
A. 1/4
B. 3/4
C. 7/10
D. 15/20
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 3/4
Rationale: 0.75 is equivalent to 75/100. Dividing both the numerator and denominator by their
greatest common divisor (25) simplifies it to 3/4.
Question 7: What is 15% of 200?
A. 15
B. 20
C. 30
D. 50
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 30
Rationale: To find 15% of 200, multiply 200 by 0.15: 200 × 0.15 = 30.
Question 8: The ratio of boys to girls in a class is 3:2. If there are 15 boys, how many girls are
in the class?
A. 5
B. 10
C. 20
D. 30
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 10
Rationale: The ratio 3:2 means for every 3 boys, there are 2 girls. If 3 parts equal 15, then 1 part
equals 5. The number of girls is 2 parts × 5 = 10.
Question 9: What is the square root of 144?
A. 11
B. 12
C. 14
D. 16
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 12
Rationale: The square root of a number is a value that, when multiplied by itself, gives the
original number. 12 × 12 = 144, so √144 = 12.
Question 10: Which of the following fractions is the largest?
, A. 1/2
B. 3/5
C. 2/3
D. 5/8
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 2/3
Rationale: Converting to decimals: 1/2=0.50, 3/5=0.60, 2/3≈0.67, 5/8=0.625. 0.67 is the largest,
so 2/3 is the largest fraction.
Question 11: What is the simple interest on R2000 invested at 5% per annum for 3 years?
A. R100
B. R200
C. R300
D. R400
CORRECT ANSWER: C. R300
Rationale: Simple Interest = Principal × Rate × Time / 100. SI = 2000 × 5 × = 300.
Question 12: A car travels at a speed of 80 km/h for 2.5 hours. What distance does it cover?
A. 160 km
B. 180 km
C. 200 km
D. 220 km
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 200 km
Rationale: Distance = Speed × Time. Distance = 80 km/h × 2.5 h = 200 km.
Question 13: What is the value of 2³ + 3²?
A. 13
B. 17
C. 25
D. 35
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 17
Rationale: 2³ = 2 × 2 × 2 = 8. 3² = 3 × 3 = 9. 8 + 9 = 17.
Question 14: Which of the following is the LCM (Lowest Common Multiple) of 6 and 8?
A. 12
B. 24
C. 36
D. 48
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 24
Rationale: Multiples of 6: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30... Multiples of 8: 8, 16, 24, 32... The smallest
common multiple is 24.
Fully Solved Assignment with Verified Answers | Mathematical Literacy,
Numeracy Skills, Problem Solving, Number Operations, Quantitative
Reasoning and Everyday Mathematics
,Question 1: What is the result of calculating 15 + (8 × 3) - 12 ÷ 4?
A. 36
B. 38
C. 39
D. 42
CORRECT ANSWER: A. 36
Rationale: Following the order of operations (BODMAS/PEMDAS), we first calculate the
brackets and multiplication/division from left to right: 8 × 3 = 24 and 12 ÷ 4 = 3. The expression
becomes 15 + 24 - 3 = 36.
Question 2: If a jacket originally costs R850 and is discounted by 20%, what is the sale
price?
A. R170
B. R680
C. R700
D. R830
CORRECT ANSWER: B. R680
Rationale: The discount amount is 20% of R850, which is 0.20 × 850 = R170. The sale price is
R850 - R170 = R680.
Question 3: What is the value of 3/5 expressed as a percentage?
A. 30%
B. 35%
C. 60%
D. 65%
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 60%
Rationale: To convert a fraction to a percentage, multiply by 100: (3/5) × 100 = 60%.
Question 4: Which of the following numbers is a prime number?
A. 21
B. 27
C. 31
D. 39
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 31
Rationale: A prime number has exactly two distinct factors: 1 and itself. 31 is only divisible by 1
and 31, making it prime. The other options are composite (21=3×7, 27=3³, 39=3×13).
Question 5: A rectangle has a length of 12 cm and a breadth of 5 cm. What is its perimeter?
A. 17 cm
B. 34 cm
C. 60 cm
D. 120 cm
,CORRECT ANSWER: B. 34 cm
Rationale: The perimeter of a rectangle is calculated using the formula P = 2 × (length +
breadth). P = 2 × (12 + 5) = 2 × 17 = 34 cm.
Question 6: Convert 0.75 into a fraction in its simplest form.
A. 1/4
B. 3/4
C. 7/10
D. 15/20
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 3/4
Rationale: 0.75 is equivalent to 75/100. Dividing both the numerator and denominator by their
greatest common divisor (25) simplifies it to 3/4.
Question 7: What is 15% of 200?
A. 15
B. 20
C. 30
D. 50
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 30
Rationale: To find 15% of 200, multiply 200 by 0.15: 200 × 0.15 = 30.
Question 8: The ratio of boys to girls in a class is 3:2. If there are 15 boys, how many girls are
in the class?
A. 5
B. 10
C. 20
D. 30
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 10
Rationale: The ratio 3:2 means for every 3 boys, there are 2 girls. If 3 parts equal 15, then 1 part
equals 5. The number of girls is 2 parts × 5 = 10.
Question 9: What is the square root of 144?
A. 11
B. 12
C. 14
D. 16
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 12
Rationale: The square root of a number is a value that, when multiplied by itself, gives the
original number. 12 × 12 = 144, so √144 = 12.
Question 10: Which of the following fractions is the largest?
, A. 1/2
B. 3/5
C. 2/3
D. 5/8
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 2/3
Rationale: Converting to decimals: 1/2=0.50, 3/5=0.60, 2/3≈0.67, 5/8=0.625. 0.67 is the largest,
so 2/3 is the largest fraction.
Question 11: What is the simple interest on R2000 invested at 5% per annum for 3 years?
A. R100
B. R200
C. R300
D. R400
CORRECT ANSWER: C. R300
Rationale: Simple Interest = Principal × Rate × Time / 100. SI = 2000 × 5 × = 300.
Question 12: A car travels at a speed of 80 km/h for 2.5 hours. What distance does it cover?
A. 160 km
B. 180 km
C. 200 km
D. 220 km
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 200 km
Rationale: Distance = Speed × Time. Distance = 80 km/h × 2.5 h = 200 km.
Question 13: What is the value of 2³ + 3²?
A. 13
B. 17
C. 25
D. 35
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 17
Rationale: 2³ = 2 × 2 × 2 = 8. 3² = 3 × 3 = 9. 8 + 9 = 17.
Question 14: Which of the following is the LCM (Lowest Common Multiple) of 6 and 8?
A. 12
B. 24
C. 36
D. 48
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 24
Rationale: Multiples of 6: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30... Multiples of 8: 8, 16, 24, 32... The smallest
common multiple is 24.
