HOLIDAY QUESTION PAPER

CURRO SECUNDA

MARCH 2025

MATHEMATICS: PAPER 1

Time: 2.5 hours 117 marks

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

1. This question paper consists of 18 pages

2. This paper has 4 sections (Section A,B,C and D).
3. Read the questions carefully.
4. Answer ALL the questions on the question paper and hand it in Day 1 Term 2.
5. Diagrams are not necessarily drawn to scale.
6. You may use an approved non-programmable and non-graphical calculator, unless
otherwise stated.
7. Ensure that your calculator is in DEGREE mode.
8. All the necessary working details must be clearly shown. Answers only will not necessarily
be awarded full marks.
9. It is in your own interest to write legibly and to present your work neatly.
10. Round off to one decimal place unless otherwise stated.

SECTION A SECTION B SECTION C SECTION D TOTAL

29 37 26 25 117
Mathematics: Paper 1

SECTION A [29 MARKS]

QUESTION 1

Solve for x in each of the following:

(a) 1 − 2x + 5 x − 1 = 0 (5)

(b) 2x − x 2  0 (4)

(c) 8.39 −3 x = 5832 (3)

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Mathematics: Paper 1

[12]

QUESTION 2
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Mathematics: Paper 1

Solve for x and y in the following set of equations:

3x + y = 2 and y 2 = 2x 2 − 1

[5]
QUESTION 3

The graph of a hyperbola with equation y = f ( x ) has the following properties:

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Mathematics: Paper 1

• Domain: x  R; x  5
• Range: y  R ; y  −1
• Passes through the point ( 2 ;0 )

Determine the equation of y = f ( x ) .

[4]

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Mathematics: Paper 1

QUESTION 4

Determine the equation of the tangent to the curve y = x 2 + 2 at the point where x = −1.

[4]

QUESTION 5

Refer to the questions below and circle the correct answer:

(a) If 3 and −2 are both zeros of the polynomial f ( x ), then a factor of f ( x ) is:

A x2 − 6 C x2 − x − 6

B x2 + x − 6 D x2 + x + 6

(b) What is the smallest integer value of k such that x 2 ( 3k + 1) − 6x + 2 = 0 has no real
roots.

A 5 B 1 C −1 D 2

[4]

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Mathematics: Paper 1

SECTION B [37 MARKS]

QUESTION 6

(a) Convert the nominal interest rate of 8,25% per annum compounded monthly to an
equivalent effective rate. (3)

(b) Exactly 5 years ago Mpumi bought a car for R145 000 . The current book value of
this car is R72 500 . If the car depreciates by a fixed annual rate according to a
reducing balance method, calculate the rate of depreciation. (3)

[6]

QUESTION 7

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Mathematics: Paper 1

(a) The 100th term of an arithmetic sequence is 512 and its common difference is 7.
Determine the first term of the sequence. (3)

(b) Given the series 24 + 28 + 212 + . . .

(1) Determine n if Tn = 2128 . (4)

(2) Determine S40 , leaving your answer in exponential form. (3)

[10]

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Mathematics: Paper 1

QUESTION 8

The graphs of f ( x ) = 2x − 8 and g ( x ) = ax 2 + bx + c are sketched below.

B and C are the y -intercepts of the

graphs of f and g respectively.

The two graphs intersect at A ( 3 ;0 ) ,

which is the turning point of graph g ( x )
and the x − intercept of the graphs of
f ( x ) and g ( x ) .
C has co-ordinates ( 0 ; − 4,5 ) .

(a) Write down the equation of the asymptote of f ( x ) . (1)

(b) Give the equation of h ( x ) if h ( x ) = f ( x + 2) + 8 (2)

(c) Determine the equation of f −1 ( x ) in the form y = . . . (2)

[5]

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Mathematics: Paper 1

QUESTION 9

In the sketch, the graph of g ' ( x ) , the derivative

of y = g ( x ) is shown.
g' ( x )
(a) What is the gradient of the tangent to g
at x = 0 ? (1)

(b) Write down the x − co-ordinate of the point

of inflection of g. (1)

(c) What is the gradient of the tangent to g at x = 4 ? (1)

(d) For which values of x is g increasing? (3)

[6]

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Mathematics: Paper 1

QUESTION 10

The quadratic function y = f ( x ) is shown. The

turning point has coordinates ( a ; b ) and the
y − intercept has coordinates ( 0 ; c ) .

Write all your answers in terms of a, b and c.

(a) Determine the equation of the axis of

symmetry for y = f ( x − 1) . (1)

(b) Determine the coordinates of the

y − intercept of y = −f ( x ) − 2 . (2)

(c) Determine the coordinates of the turning point of y = f ( x + 4 ) + 5. (2)

[5]

QUESTION 11

In an arithmetic sequence, it is given that T10 − T9 = 6 and S10 − S9 = 57 .

Determine the first term of the sequence. Show ALL your working details.

[5]
SECTION C [25 MARKS]
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Mathematics: Paper 1

QUESTION 12

Show that the equation x 2 + ( k − 2) x − k = 0 has real roots for all real values of k .

[5]

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Mathematics: Paper 1

QUESTION 13
2
 x − 1  x − 1
Given the geometric sequence: x +x  + x  +. . .
 2   2 

(a) For what values of x will the series converge? (3)

(b) Hence determine S of the series, in terms of x . (4)

[7]

QUESTION 14
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Mathematics: Paper 1

Susan bought a car. She obtained a loan from the bank for R748000. The bank charged her
interest of 9% per annum, compounded monthly.

(a) The period of the loan is 20 years and she started repaying the loan one month after
it was granted. Calculate her monthly instalment. (4)

(b) Calculate the balance of her loan immediately after the 85 th instalment. (4)

[8]
QUESTION 15

Hollow plastic hemispheres are created such that each successive one fits into the previous
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Mathematics: Paper 1

3
one. The radii OB = 21cm, OD = 3cm and OF = cm .
7

A B C D E F
O O O

Determine the sum of the outer surface areas, as shaded in the diagram, of all such
hemispheres created by continuing the pattern indefinitely.

Useful formula: Surface area of Hemisphere = 2πr 2

[5]

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Mathematics: Paper 1

SECTION D [26 MARKS]

QUESTION 16

The following functions are given, but they are not in standard form.
Show ALL working details to determine the type of graph represented by each equation
after writing them in the standard form y = ...

(a) log y = − log x

(b) y +1 = x

 1
(c) log2   = x
y

(d) xy + 3y = x 2 − 9

[8]

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Mathematics: Paper 1

QUESTION 17
A

In the diagram  ABC is an equilateral triangle with

sides equal to b units.

DEFG is a rectangle with BE = FC = x units.

D G

B C
E F

(a) Find the length of EF in terms of b and x. (2)

(b) Prove that the area of the rectangle is A = 3 x ( b − 2x ) units2. (3)

(c) Determine the maximum area of the rectangle in terms of b . (4)

[9]

QUESTION 18
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Mathematics: Paper 1

The diagram shows the area A bound by a parabola and a horizontal line.

Let b be the horizontal base of the area and h the height, i.e. h is the vertical distance from the
2
turning point to the base. The area A is given by the formula: A = bh .
3
The equation of the curve below is y = 6 x − x . Determine the area of the shaded region for each
2

of the following:

(a) (5)

(b) (4)

[9]

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