Matric Mathematics — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the arithmetic sequence 7; 11; 15; 19; ... what is the value of the 20th term?
- 83 (Correct answer)
- 87
- 79
- 91
Correct answer: 83
The first term a = 7 and common difference d = 4. Tn = a + (n-1)d, so T20 = 7 + 19(4) = 7 + 76 = 83.
Question 2: If f(x) = 2x^2 - 3x + 1, what is f(-2)?
- 15 (Correct answer)
- 11
- 3
- -1
Correct answer: 15
f(-2) = 2(-2)^2 - 3(-2) + 1 = 2(4) + 6 + 1 = 8 + 6 + 1 = 15.
Question 3: Solve for x: log_2(x) = 5.
- 25
- 10
- 32 (Correct answer)
- 16
Correct answer: 32
log_2(x) = 5 means 2^5 = x, so x = 32.
Question 4: A car depreciates on a reducing-balance basis at 15% per year. If it is worth R200 000 now, what is it worth after 1 year?
- R170 000 (Correct answer)
- R185 000
- R230 000
- R150 000
Correct answer: R170 000
Reducing balance: value = 200000 × (1 - 0.15) = 200000 × 0.85 = R170 000.
Question 5: What is the gradient of the line joining the points A(2; 3) and B(6; 11)?
- 4
- 2 (Correct answer)
- 1/2
- 8
Correct answer: 2
Gradient m = (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1) = (11 - 3)/(6 - 2) = 8/4 = 2.
Question 6: The probability of an event is 0.35. What is the probability that the event does NOT occur?
- 0.35
- 0.50
- 0.65 (Correct answer)
- 0.70
Correct answer: 0.65
P(not A) = 1 - P(A) = 1 - 0.35 = 0.65.
Question 7: Simplify: (x^3 × x^4) / x^2.
- x^5 (Correct answer)
- x^9
- x^24
- x^6
Correct answer: x^5
Add exponents when multiplying and subtract when dividing: x^(3+4-2) = x^5.
Question 8: What are the roots of the equation x^2 - 5x + 6 = 0?
- x = 1 and x = 6
- x = -2 and x = -3
- x = 2 and x = 3 (Correct answer)
- x = 5 and x = 6
Correct answer: x = 2 and x = 3
Factorise: (x - 2)(x - 3) = 0, so x = 2 or x = 3.
Matric Mathematics
In the arithmetic sequence 7; 11; 15; 19; ... what is the value of the 20th term?