BECE Mathematics 2026 Paper

Concept:Substitute the given values into the expression and simplify, working out the bracket and the power first (BODMAS).Given:$p = 2$, $q = \dfrac{3}{4}$Solution:$p^{2}(q - 1) = (2)^{2}\left(\dfrac{3}{4} - 1\right)$Power: $2^2 = 4$Bracket: $\dfrac{3}{4} - 1 = \dfrac{3}{4} - \dfrac{4}{4} = -\dfrac{1}{4}$Multiply: $4 \times \left(-\dfrac{1}{4}\right) = -1$Key point: $q - 1$ is negative because $q$ is less than 1, so the answer is $-1$, not $1$.Answer:Option C ($-1$)