Grade 10 Mathematics — Paper 1 Study Guide

Comprehensive topic guide, formula sheet, worked examples, and practice problems

Prepared for: Solidarietatis

Generated: November 12, 2025
Contents
1. 1. Algebraic Manipulation (factorisation, exponents, equations, inequalities, simultaneous)
2. 2. Sequences & Patterns (arithmetic, geometric, nth term)
3. 3. Financial Mathematics (interest, hire purchase, inflation, exchange rates)
4. 4. Functions & Graphs (linear, quadratic, exponential, hyperbola, transformations)
5. 5. Probability (basic rules, Venn diagrams, mutually exclusive/complementary)
6. 6. Analytical Geometry (distance, midpoint, gradient, line equations)
7. 7. Exam Strategy, common mistakes, and time management
8. 8. Formula Sheet and Quick Reference
9. 9. Practice Questions with worked solutions (selected)
10. 10. Further practice sets
1. Algebraic Manipulation
This section covers simplifying expressions, factorisation, working with indices (powers and
roots), solving equations (linear, quadratic, exponential), inequalities, and simultaneous
equations. Key skills: - Recognise factorable patterns quickly (difference of squares, perfect
square trinomials). - Always look for a greatest common factor (GCF) first. - For quadratic
equations: try factorising; if not factorable, use the quadratic formula. - When solving inequalities,
track sign changes when multiplying/dividing by negatives.

Factorisation: Common methods

GCF: factor out the largest common factor, e.g. 3x^2 + 6x = 3x(x + 2).
Difference of squares: a^2 - b^2 = (a - b)(a + b). Example: x^2 - 9 = (x - 3)(x + 3).
Trinomials: x^2 + bx + c = (x + p)(x + q) where p + q = b and p*q = c.
Grouping: Group terms to factor by common factors, e.g. x^3 + x^2 - x - 1 = x^2(x + 1) - 1(x + 1)
= (x^2 - 1)(x + 1) = (x - 1)(x + 1)(x + 1).

Worked example 1 — Factorise and solve

Example: Solve (x - 3)(2 - x) = -2x. Steps: 1. Expand left: (x - 3)(2 - x) = x(2 - x) - 3(2 - x) = 2x -
x^2 - 6 + 3x = -x^2 + 5x - 6. 2. Set equal: -x^2 + 5x - 6 = -2x. 3. Bring all terms to one side: -x^2 +
7x - 6 = 0. Multiply by -1: x^2 - 7x + 6 = 0. 4. Factorise: (x - 1)(x - 6) = 0 → x = 1 or x = 6.

Indices (exponents) & Surds

Laws of indices: - a^m * a^n = a^(m+n) - (a^m)^n = a^(mn) - a^m / a^n = a^(m-n) - a^0 = 1 (a ≠ 0)
Fractional exponents: a^(1/n) = n-th root of a. Rationalise denominators when required.
2. Sequences & Patterns
Understand how sequences change. For arithmetic sequences, the difference is constant. For
geometric sequences, the ratio is constant. Be able to derive general (nth) terms and use
formulas to find particular terms or sums.
Arithmetic nth term: T_n = a + (n - 1)d
Arithmetic sum: S_n = n/2 * (2a + (n - 1)d)
Geometric nth term: T_n = a * r^(n-1)
Geometric sum (r != 1): S_n = a * (r^n - 1) / (r - 1)

Worked example — Which term is 1500 in an arithmetic sequence?

If T_n = a + (n-1)d. Example: a = 8, d = 7 gives term formula T_n = 8 + (n-1)*7 = 7n + 1. Set 7n +
1 = 1500 → 7n = 1499 → n = 214.142... so 1500 is not a term. If it were integer, that n would be
the term number.
3. Financial Mathematics
Key areas: simple interest, compound interest, hire purchase (installments), inflation and
currency conversion. Simple interest formula: A = P(1 + i*n) Compound interest: A = P(1 + i)^n
Hire purchase: Total paid = deposit + (monthly instalment * months). Interest = Total paid - cash
price. Inflation rate from price change: (New/Old) = (1 + r)^t -> r = ((New/Old)^(1/t) - 1) * 100%

Worked example — Break-even and profit

Jamie buys a business for R250,000. Income: R1,000 in month 1, then R3,000 each month after.
Savings accumulate without interest. General formula after n months: Month 1: 1000 Month 2
onwards: 1000 + 3000*(n-1) = 3000n - 2000. Break-even when 3000n - 2000 = 250000 -> 3000n
= 252000 -> n = 84 months = 7 years.
4. Functions & Graphs
Understand function types and how they transform: - Linear: y = m*x + c — slope m, y-intercept
c. - Quadratic: y = a*x^2 + b*x + c — vertex (turning point), axis of symmetry x = -b/(2a). -
Exponential: y = a*b^x + q — horizontal asymptote y = q. - Reciprocal/hyperbola: y = a/x + q —
vertical asymptote x = 0 shifted by horizontal translations. Transformations: - y = f(x - h) shifts
right by h. - y = f(x) + k shifts up by k. - y = -f(x) reflects in x-axis. - y = f(-x) reflects in y-axis.

Worked example — Quadratic turning point

Given f(x) = a*x^2 + q has turning point at (0,9). That tells us vertex at x=0 so axis is x=0 and
f(0)=q=9. If f has x-intercept at A and touches g(x)=x^3 -1 (for x>0) at that point, you would use
simultaneous equations to find 'a' using coordinates. Always plug known points into the function
expression to find unknown parameters.
5. Probability
Core rules: - P(A') = 1 - P(A) - P(A or B) = P(A) + P(B) - P(A and B) - If P(A and B) = 0, A and B
are mutually exclusive. - Complementary events: P(A) + P(A') = 1 Use Venn diagrams to keep
track of overlaps and totals.

Worked example — Venn diagram counts

A class has 60 learners: 8 take History, 41 take Mathematics, 16 take neither. Let x be both
History and Mathematics. Then total = H + M - both + neither = 8 + 41 - x + 16 = 60 -> 65 - x = 60
-> x = 5. So 5 learners take both.
6. Analytical Geometry (Basics)
Distance formula: d = sqrt((x2 - x1)^2 + (y2 - y1)^2) Midpoint: ((x1 + x2)/2, (y1 + y2)/2) Gradient:
m = (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1) Line equation: y - y1 = m*(x - x1) or y = m*x + c Use these to calculate
lengths, midpoints and to write equations of lines (including vertical and horizontal lines).
7. Exam Strategy and Common Mistakes
- Read instructions carefully. Answer ALL questions. - Show all working: marks are awarded for
method. - Label axes and points when sketching graphs. - For inequalities, draw number line or
test regions. - Check solutions by substituting back into original equations. - Time management:
spend 10–15 minutes per major question and save 10–15 minutes for review. Common
mistakes: - Forgetting to reverse inequality when multiplying/dividing by negative. - Cancelling
terms across addition/subtraction instead of after factorisation. - Mixing up axis of symmetry for
shifted quadratics.
8. Formula Sheet (Quick Reference)
Quadratic formula: x = [-b ± sqrt(b^2 - 4ac)] / (2a)
Arithmetic nth term: T_n = a + (n - 1)d
Arithmetic sum: S_n = n/2 (2a + (n - 1)d)
Geometric nth term: T_n = a r^(n-1)
Geometric sum: S_n = a (r^n - 1) / (r - 1)
Simple interest: A = P(1 + i n)
Compound interest: A = P(1 + i)^n
Distance: d = sqrt((x2 - x1)^2 + (y2 - y1)^2)
Midpoint: M = ((x1+x2)/2, (y1+y2)/2)
Gradient: m = (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1)
Line: y - y1 = m(x - x1)
9. Practice Questions (Selected) — with worked solutions
Question: Simplify completely: (x + 3)/(x - 3) * (x^3 - 27)/(x^2 - 9) ÷ (x^2 + 3x + 9)/(x - 3) Solution
outline: 1. Factorise where possible: x^3 - 27 = (x - 3)(x^2 + 3x + 9); x^2 - 9 = (x - 3)(x + 3). 2.
Substitute factors and cancel common factors. 3. Result simplifies to 1.
Question: A cellphone costs R4 779.13 on hire purchase with interest 7.5% p.a. over 24 months;
monthly instalment = R229. Show cash price: Outline: Total repaid = 229 * 24 = 5496. Interest =
5496 - cash price. Given simple interest calculation in some papers: cash price ≈ 4779.13
(worked backwards using provided monthly figure).
10. Further practice (no solutions provided) — attempt
these
1. Factorise completely: x^3 - 10x^2 + 21x.
2. Solve simultaneously: 2x + 4k = 20 and 7x + 3k = 19.
3. Determine the nth term of the pattern: 8, 15, 22, 29, ... and find the 50th term.
4. Jamie: initial R250,000, first month R1,000, then R3,000 each month. Find formula for amount
after n months and how long to break-even.
5. Sketch y = -x^2 + 4 and y = 2x + 3 and find their intersection points algebraically.
6. Probability: In 60 learners, 8 take H, 41 take M, 16 neither. Create Venn diagram and find
probabilities requested.
7. Given h(x) = a*b^x + q with h(1)=0 and range y > -2, find a,b,q if a is integer and 0 < a < 2.

Good luck! Practice consistently — do one or two topics per study session and review mistakes
carefully.