16 exam-style question sets on Finance (Paper 1), each with a hint and a fully worked answer. The app holds 80 questions on this section in total, including variants of every set below, and lets you mark yourself part by part.
Practise this section in the app →
Question 1
Mr Pillay is the caretaker of a primary school. He compared the average prices of the cleaning materials that the school buys every month. Some values have been omitted.
TABLE 1: AVERAGE PRICES (IN RAND) OF SOME CLEANING MATERIALS
| ITEM | JUNE 2024 | JUNE 2025 | % CHANGE YEAR ON YEAR | % CHANGE MONTH ON MONTH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ℓ floor cleaner | 89,90 | 97,50 | 8,5 | 1,2 |
| Pack of 24 toilet rolls | 168,00 | 182,40 | 8,6 | −0,8 |
| 25 ℓ drum of bleach | 412,00 | 365,00 | −11,4 | −1,9 |
| Box of 500 refuse bags | 236,80 | 259,00 | 9,4 | 0,6 |
| Pack of 12 scouring sponges | 54,60 | 49,80 | −8,8 | −6,3 |
| Mop with bucket | 172,00 | 189,00 | 9,9 | 0,4 |
| 5 ℓ hand soap | 138,70 | 146,90 | 5,9 | 2,1 |
| TOTAL | A | R1 289,60 |
- aWhich items became cheaper over BOTH periods, that is, have a negative year-on-year change AND a negative month-on-month change? (3)
- bCalculate the total that is missing from the table (A). (2)
- cCalculate the price of ONE toilet roll during June 2024. (2)
- dCompare the June 2024 price of the scouring sponges with their June 2025 price. Give the comparison as a ratio of the form 1 : …, with the second number rounded to TWO decimal places. (3)
Hint
A decrease shows as a negative percentage — look for rows where BOTH percentage columns are negative.
Worked answer
a) 25 ℓ drum of bleach ✓✓RT and the pack of 12 scouring sponges ✓RT (both percentage columns are negative for these two items only).
b) A = 89,90 + 168,00 + 412,00 + 236,80 + 54,60 + 172,00 + 138,70 ✓M
= R1 272,00 ✓A
c) One roll = R168,00 ÷ 24 ✓M = R7,00 ✓A
d) June 2024 : June 2025 = 54,60 : 49,80 ✓RT
= : ✓M
= 1 : 0,91 ✓CA
Modelled on Nov 2024 Paper 1, Question 1.2 — same skills, new scenario.
Question 2
A teacher made the table below to help her class revise the words that are used in finance and data handling.
TABLE 1: WHAT THE WORDS MEAN
| LETTER | DEFINITION |
|---|---|
| A | The amount that is left when all the expenses have been subtracted from a larger income |
| B | A plan that sets out the income you expect and how you intend to spend it over a period |
| C | The value that you get when the data is put in order and you take the one in the middle |
| D | Costs that are the same amount every month, such as an insurance premium or a cellphone contract |
| E | The stage at which a business has earned exactly enough to cover all of its costs |
| F | A payment that is made to a lender for the use of the lender's money |
| G | The value that occurs more often than any other value in a data set |
| H | Costs that go up or down depending on how much is used, such as airtime or petrol |
| I | A steady rise in the general level of prices, so that the same money buys less |
Find the description in TABLE 1 that fits EACH of the terms below. Give only the letter (A–I) of the description as your answer, for example (e) J.
- aBudget (2)
- bFixed expenses (2)
- cProfit (2)
- dMode (2)
Hint
Read ALL the descriptions before you choose — several of them are close to one another (fixed and variable expenses; median and mode).
Worked answer
a) B ✓✓A — a budget is a PLAN of income and spending.
b) D ✓✓A — 'the same amount every month' is what makes an expense fixed.
c) A ✓✓A — profit is what remains when income is larger than expenses.
d) G ✓✓A — the mode is the value that appears most often.
Modelled on Nov 2024 Paper 1, Question 1.3 — same skills, new scenario.
Question 3
Ms Naidoo bought prepaid electricity at a garage shop and received the slip below. Some information has been omitted.
| PREPAID ELECTRICITY — TAX INVOICE | |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Umgeni Local Municipality |
| Meter number | 0417 2290 635 |
| Tariff | Domestic prepaid |
| Date | 14 August 2025 |
| Amount tendered | R950,00 |
| Units | *** kWh |
| Electricity | R826,09 |
| VAT 15% | K |
| TOTAL | R950,00 |
The municipality's domestic prepaid tariff (excluding VAT) is shown below.
TABLE 1: DOMESTIC PREPAID ELECTRICITY TARIFF (EXCLUDING VAT)
| BLOCK | CONSUMPTION (kWh) | TARIFF (R/kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Block 1 | 0–300 | 2,35 |
| Block 2 | More than 300 | 3,12 |
- aOn which date did Ms Naidoo buy this electricity? (2)
- bCalculate the amount of VAT that has been left out of the slip (K). (3)
- cThis was Ms Naidoo's first purchase of the month. Determine, rounded to ONE decimal place, the number of kWh units that she received. (7)
Hint
The units are bought with the VAT-EXCLUSIVE amount: fill Block 1 first, then see how many Block 2 units the rest of the money buys.
Worked answer
a) 14 August 2025 ✓✓RT
b) K = R950,00 − R826,09 ✓RT ✓M
= R123,91 ✓A
(or 15% × R826,09 = R123,91)
c) Amount available for units (excluding VAT) = R826,09 ✓RT
Block 1: 300 × R2,35 = R705,00 ✓M ✓A
Money left for Block 2 = R826,09 − R705,00 = R121,09 ✓M
Block 2 units = R121,09 ÷ R3,12 = 38,81 kWh ✓M ✓A
Total = 300 + 38,81 = 338,8 kWh ✓CA
Modelled on Nov 2024 Paper 1, Question 2.1 — same skills, new scenario.
Question 4
The governing body of a high school has to replace the school's photocopier. A supplier sent the two offers below for the same machine.
PHOTOCOPIER — TWO OFFERS
| OFFER A: PAY MONTHLY | OFFER B: PAY ONCE |
|---|---|
| 48 payments of R1 245,00 | R46 900,00 (VAT included) |
| Once-off installation fee: R1 800,00 | Installation included |
| Final payment to keep the machine: R2 500,00 |
- aWrite down the once-off installation fee of Offer A. (2)
- bCalculate the price of Offer B before VAT was added. (3)
- cThe school takes Offer A and keeps the machine at the end. How much MORE does the school pay in total than it would have paid with Offer B? (5)
Hint
Offer A has three pieces: the 48 payments, the installation fee and the final payment. Add all three before you compare.
Worked answer
a) R1 800,00 ✓✓RT
b) Price before VAT = R46 900,00 ÷ 1,15 ✓M ✓A (or × 100/115)
= R40 782,61 ✓CA
c) Monthly payments = R1 245,00 × 48 ✓M = R59 760,00 ✓A
Total for Offer A = R59 760,00 + R1 800,00 + R2 500,00 = R64 060,00 ✓M
Extra = R64 060,00 − R46 900,00 ✓M = R17 160,00 ✓CA
Modelled on Nov 2024 Paper 1, Question 2.2 — same skills, new scenario.
Question 5
Mr Sithole is 38 years old and works as a boilermaker. His monthly taxable income during the 2024/2025 tax year was R31 640,50. He has no medical aid.
TABLE 1: RATES OF TAX FOR INDIVIDUALS, 2024/2025 TAX YEAR (1 March 2024 – 28 February 2025)
| TAX BRACKET | TAXABLE INCOME (R) | RATES OF TAX (R) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 – 237 100 | 18% of taxable income |
| 2 | 237 101 – 370 500 | 42 678 + 26% of taxable income above 237 100 |
| 3 | 370 501 – 512 800 | 77 362 + 31% of taxable income above 370 500 |
| 4 | 512 801 – 673 000 | 121 475 + 36% of taxable income above 512 800 |
| 5 | 673 001 – 857 900 | 179 147 + 39% of taxable income above 673 000 |
| 6 | 857 901 – 1 817 000 | 251 258 + 41% of taxable income above 857 900 |
| 7 | 1 817 001 and above | 644 489 + 45% of taxable income above 1 817 000 |
TABLE 2: TAX REBATES AND TAX THRESHOLDS, 2024/2025
| AGE GROUP | TAX REBATE | TAX THRESHOLD |
|---|---|---|
| Under 65 (primary) | R17 235 | R95 750 |
| 65 and older (secondary, additional) | R9 444 | R148 217 |
| 75 and older (tertiary, additional) | R3 145 | R165 689 |
[Source: www.sars.gov.za]
- aIn which tax bracket (1 to 7) does the taxable income of Mr Sithole fall? Show the calculation that you used to decide. (3)
- bCalculate how much income tax Mr Sithole owes for the whole 2024/2025 tax year. (5)
Hint
The tax table works with ANNUAL income, so multiply the monthly income by 12 before you look for the bracket.
Worked answer
a) Annual taxable income = R31 640,50 × 12 ✓M = R379 686,00 ✓A
R379 686,00 lies between R370 501 and R512 800, so Mr Sithole falls in tax bracket 3 (R370 501 – R512 800) ✓A
b) Tax = R77 362 + 31% × (R379 686,00 − R370 500) ✓SF
= R77 362 + 31% × R9 186,00 = R77 362 + R2 847,66 = R80 209,66 ✓CA
Less rebate: R17 235 ✓RT
Tax payable = R80 209,66 − R17 235 ✓M = R62 974,66 ✓CA
Modelled on Nov 2024 Paper 1, Question 2.3 — same skills, new scenario.
Question 6
The Grade 12 learners of a high school are planning their matric farewell. It will be held in a community hall and will start at 17:30. TABLE 1 shows part of their budget, as well as the tariffs of three security companies that can guard the hall and the parking area.
TABLE 1: BUDGET FOR THE MATRIC FAREWELL
| ITEM | BUDGETED AMOUNT |
|---|---|
| Hall | R1 200 booking fee plus R5 400 for the evening |
| Catering | R24 500 |
| Decorations | R3 850 |
| SECURITY COMPANY | TARIFF |
|---|---|
| SafeNight | The first 4 hours (or any shorter time) cost R3 000. Every hour after that costs R800 extra. |
| Guardwell | R900 for every hour or part of an hour |
| Sentinel | R7 500, however long the evening lasts |
TABLE 2: WHAT SAFENIGHT CHARGES FOR 1 TO 8 HOURS
| Number of hours | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost (in R) | 3 000 | 3 000 | K | 3 000 | 3 800 | L | 5 400 | M |
The graphs that show the cost of hiring Guardwell and Sentinel are drawn below. For Guardwell an open circle (○) shows a value that is NOT included and a solid dot (●) a value that IS included.
- aWrite down a formula, starting with Cost = …, that gives the cost of SafeNight when its guards work for MORE than 4 hours. (3)
- bCalculate the three values (K, L and M) that are missing from TABLE 2. (4)
- cThe cost of Guardwell is drawn as a set of separate horizontal lines. What do we call a graph like this? (2)
- dUse the values in TABLE 2, including the three that you calculated, to draw the graph of the cost of SafeNight on the same set of axes as the other two graphs. (4)
- eThe learners choose Guardwell. The guards will be on duty from 17:30 until 00:45. Calculate the total amount that the learners must budget for the matric farewell. (5)
- fSentinel was not chosen. Give ONE reason that the numbers support. (2)
This question has a diagram, shown in the app.
Hint
'Every hour or part of an hour' means that 7 h 15 min is charged as 8 full hours.
Worked answer
a) Cost = R3 000 + R800 × (number of hours − 4) ✓✓✓A
(R3 000 covers the first 4 hours; every hour after that adds R800)
b) K = R3 000,00 ✓A
L = R4 600,00 ✓M ✓A
M = R6 200,00 ✓A
c) A step graph ✓✓A (the cost jumps to a new level at the start of every new hour and stays constant in between).
d) Plot the points (1 ; 3 000), (2 ; 3 000), (3 ; 3 000), (4 ; 3 000), (5 ; 3 800), (6 ; 4 600), (7 ; 5 400), (8 ; 6 200) ✓✓A and join them with straight lines ✓A; the graph must show the correct shape for the first hours as well ✓A. The completed graph is shown below.
e) Time = 17:30 to 00:45 = 7 h 15 min ✓M → 8 hours are charged (each hour OR PART of an hour) ✓R
Cost of Guardwell = 8 × R900,00 = R7 200,00 ✓A
Other items on the budget = R34 950,00 ✓M
Total = R34 950,00 + R7 200,00 = R42 150,00 ✓CA
f) Sentinel's fixed price of R7 500 is more than the R7 200 that Guardwell costs for this evening ✓✓O (or: they would pay the full R7 500 even if the function ended early).
Modelled on Nov 2024 Paper 1, Question 4.1 — same skills, new scenario.
Question 7
The pie charts below show where a metropolitan municipality expects to get its income from during the 2025/2026 financial year, and how it plans to spend that money.
Some values have been omitted from the pie charts.
NOTE: 1 billion = 1 000 000 000
- aComplete the sentence with ONE of the words in brackets. If a municipality plans to spend more money than it expects to receive, its budget shows a (profit / deficit / surplus). (2)
- bThe percentage for National grants has been left out. Calculate this percentage. (3)
- cHow much money, in billion rand, is set aside for roads and transport? (3)
- dThree of the other sources of income together make up exactly the same percentage as property rates. Name these THREE. (3)
- eMusa worked out the amount that is spent on bulk electricity purchases, gave it in billion rand and rounded it to the nearest whole number. Musa says that rounding the amount in this way changes it by less than 1 000 000 rand. Verify, showing ALL calculations, whether this statement is valid. (6)
Hint
Do not round until the very end: 0,25 of a billion is still 250 million rand.
Worked answer
a) deficit ✓✓A — there is a shortfall because more is spent than is received.
b) Missing percentage = 100% − (29% + 22% + 16% + 9% + 5% + 4% + 2%) ✓M
= 100% − 87% ✓A = 13% ✓CA
c) Amount = 12% × 68,47 billion rand ✓RG ✓M
= 8,2164 billion rand ✓A
d) Water and sanitation (16%) ✓A, Fines and licences (4%) ✓A and Other income (2%) ✓A — together 22%.
e) Amount = 23% × 68,47 = 15,7481 billion rand ✓MA
Rounded amount = 16 billion rand ✓R
Difference = 0,2519 billion rand ✓M
1 billion rand = R1 000 000 000
Difference = 0,2519 × 1 000 000 000 ✓C = 251 900 000 rand ✓CA
251 900 000 is far more than 1 000 000 rand, so the statement is NOT valid ✓J
Modelled on Nov 2024 Paper 1, Question 5.1 — same skills, new scenario.
Question 8
A vehicle plant in KwaZulu-Natal, which belongs to a Japanese company, paid R48,6 billion to its South African parts suppliers during 2025. The head office in Japan reports such amounts in oku yen.
NOTE: R1 000 000 = 8 240 000 yen and 100 000 000 yen = 1 oku
- aWrite R48,6 billion in millions of rand. (2)
- bUse your answer to the previous question to express the payments to the suppliers in oku yen. (4)
Hint
One billion is one thousand million. Once the amount is in million rand, every million becomes 8 240 000 yen.
Worked answer
a) R48,6 billion = 48,6 × 1 000 ✓M = R48 600 million ✓A
b) In yen: 48 600 × 8 240 000 ✓M = 400 464 000 000 yen ✓A
In oku: 400 464 000 000 ÷ 100 000 000 ✓C = 4 004,64 oku yen ✓CA
Modelled on Nov 2024 Paper 1, Question 5.2 — same skills, new scenario.
Question 9
A motor dealer sold a popular entry-level hatchback for R236 900,00 at the end of 2025. TABLE 1 shows the new-vehicle price inflation rates that the dealer recorded for this model.
TABLE 1: NEW-VEHICLE PRICE INFLATION RATES, 2021 TO 2025
| YEAR | INFLATION RATE |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 5,2% |
| 2024 | 4,8% |
| 2023 | 4,4% |
| 2022 | 4% |
| 2021 | 3,6% |
- aDescribe how the new-vehicle price inflation rate changed from 2021 to 2025. (2)
- bThe price of the hatchback changed in line with these inflation rates. Calculate what the same model cost at the end of 2023. (6)
Hint
Going BACK in time you divide by (1 + rate) — first undo the 2025 increase, then the 2024 increase.
Worked answer
a) The inflation rate increased every year ✓✓O (by 0,4 of a percentage point each year, from 3,6% in 2021 to 5,2% in 2025).
b) Price at the end of 2024 = R236 900,00 ÷ 1,052 ✓M ✓A = R225 190,11 ✓CA
Price at the end of 2023 = R225 190,11 ÷ 1,048 ✓M ✓A = R214 876,06 ✓CA
Modelled on Nov 2024 Paper 1, Question 5.3 — same skills, new scenario.
Question 10
A parent compared the January prices of school stationery at three shops in her town. Her findings are shown in the table below.
PRICES OF SCHOOL STATIONERY AT THREE SHOPS
| ITEM | QUANTITY | PAPERWORLD | SCHOLAR HUB | BUDGETBOOKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A4 exercise books (72 pages) | pack of 10 | R64,90 | R59,99 | R67,50 |
| Ballpoint pens | pack of 5 | R24,99 | R27,50 | R22,95 |
| HB pencils | pack of 12 | R38,90 | R35,95 | R41,00 |
| Glue stick (40 g) | 1 | R32,50 | R29,99 | R34,90 |
| Scientific calculator | 1 | R219,00 | R249,99 | R229,95 |
| Mathematical set | 1 | R54,95 | R49,90 | R59,00 |
| Wax crayons | pack of 24 | R45,50 | R48,99 | R42,90 |
| Plastic book covers | pack of 10 | R29,90 | R31,50 | R27,99 |
| TOTAL | R510,64 | X | R526,19 |
- aAt which shop did the scientific calculator cost the most? (2)
- bCalculate the price of ONE exercise book if the pack is bought at PaperWorld. (2)
- cCompare the price of the mathematical set at Scholar Hub with its price at BudgetBooks. Write the comparison as a ratio of the form 1 : …, with the second number rounded to THREE decimal places. (3)
- dCalculate the missing total (X) for Scholar Hub. (2)
Hint
For a unit price, divide the price of the pack by the number of items in the pack.
Worked answer
a) Scholar Hub ✓✓RT (R249,99 is the largest of the 3 prices in that row)
b) R64,90 ÷ 10 ✓M = R6,49 per book ✓A
c) Scholar Hub : BudgetBooks = R49,90 : R59,00 ✓RT
= 1 : (R59,00 ÷ R49,90) ✓M
= 1 : 1,182 ✓R
d) X = R59,99 + R27,50 + R35,95 + R29,99 + R249,99 + R49,90 + R48,99 + R31,50 ✓M
= R533,81 ✓A
Modelled on Nov 2025 Paper 1, Question 1.1 — same skills, new scenario.
Question 11
The words that are defined in TABLE 1 are used in banking, credit and data handling.
TABLE 1: BANKING, CREDIT AND DATA WORDS
| LETTER | DEFINITION |
|---|---|
| A | The amount that a bank allows a client to withdraw from a cheque account after the balance has reached zero |
| B | Interest that is calculated on the original amount only, for every year of the investment |
| C | The value that lies exactly in the middle of a data set that has been arranged in order |
| D | A fixed amount that a client instructs the bank to pay to another person on the same date every month |
| E | Interest that is calculated on the original amount plus the interest that has already been earned |
| F | The smallest amount that must be paid on a credit card account by the due date |
| G | The value that has the highest frequency in a data set |
| H | The maximum amount that may be owed on a credit card at any time |
Decide which definition in TABLE 1 goes with EACH of the terms below. Your answer is the letter (A–H) of the definition only, for example (e) I.
- aOverdraft (2)
- bCompound interest (2)
- cCredit limit (2)
- dMedian (2)
Hint
Two of the definitions describe interest — decide which one grows on 'interest on interest'.
Worked answer
a) A ✓✓A — an overdraft lets the balance go below zero, up to an agreed amount.
b) E ✓✓A — compound interest is earned on the capital AND on earlier interest; B describes simple interest.
c) H ✓✓A — the credit limit is the most that may be owed; F is the minimum payment.
d) C ✓✓A — the median is the middle value of ordered data; G describes the mode.
Modelled on Nov 2025 Paper 1, Question 1.2 — same skills, new scenario.
Question 12
Thabo (34 years old) is a technician. He and his wife belong to a medical aid. An extract from his payslip for June 2025 is shown below, together with the tables that are needed to check his income tax.
EXTRACT FROM THABO'S PAYSLIP
| EARNINGS | AMOUNT | DEDUCTIONS | AMOUNT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic salary | R30 000,00 | PAYE | X |
| UIF | R177,12 | ||
| Pension fund (7,5% of basic salary) | R2 250,00 | ||
| Medical aid (employee's share) | R2 490,00 | ||
| Taxable income | R27 750,00 | NET SALARY | Y |
NOTE: Taxable income = basic salary − pension fund contribution
EXTRACT FROM THE MONTHLY PAYE TABLE THAT THE PAYROLL OFFICE USES (calculated from the 2025/2026 rates of tax; medical tax credits are NOT taken into account)
| TAXABLE INCOME PER MONTH | UNDER 65 | 65 – 74 | 75 AND OLDER |
|---|---|---|---|
| R27 501 – R27 600 | R4 146 | R3 359 | R3 097 |
| R27 601 – R27 700 | R4 172 | R3 385 | R3 123 |
| R27 701 – R27 800 | R4 198 | R3 411 | R3 149 |
| R27 801 – R27 900 | R4 224 | R3 437 | R3 175 |
| R27 901 – R28 000 | R4 250 | R3 463 | R3 201 |
TABLE 1: RATES OF TAX FOR INDIVIDUALS, 2025/2026 TAX YEAR (1 March 2025 – 28 February 2026)
| TAX BRACKET | TAXABLE INCOME (R) | RATES OF TAX (R) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 – 237 100 | 18% of taxable income |
| 2 | 237 101 – 370 500 | 42 678 + 26% of taxable income above 237 100 |
| 3 | 370 501 – 512 800 | 77 362 + 31% of taxable income above 370 500 |
| 4 | 512 801 – 673 000 | 121 475 + 36% of taxable income above 512 800 |
| 5 | 673 001 – 857 900 | 179 147 + 39% of taxable income above 673 000 |
| 6 | 857 901 – 1 817 000 | 251 258 + 41% of taxable income above 857 900 |
| 7 | 1 817 001 and above | 644 489 + 45% of taxable income above 1 817 000 |
TABLE 2: TAX REBATES AND TAX THRESHOLDS, 2025/2026
| AGE GROUP | TAX REBATE | TAX THRESHOLD |
|---|---|---|
| Under 65 (primary) | R17 235 | R95 750 |
| 65 and older (secondary, additional) | R9 444 | R148 217 |
| 75 and older (tertiary, additional) | R3 145 | R165 689 |
TABLE 3: MEDICAL SCHEME FEES TAX CREDITS, 2025/2026
| MEDICAL SCHEME FEES TAX CREDIT PER MONTH | AMOUNT |
|---|---|
| Main member | R364 |
| First dependant | R364 |
| Each additional dependant | R246 |
[Tables 1 to 3: www.sars.gov.za]
- aWrite the abbreviation PAYE in full. (2)
- bWhat is the name for the total amount that an employee earns BEFORE any deductions are made? (2)
- cThe medical aid contribution on the payslip is only Thabo's share. His employer pays two fifths of the TOTAL monthly contribution. Calculate the amount that the employer pays per month. (2)
- dThabo is 34 years old. Use the monthly PAYE table to find the amount X that is missing from the payslip. (2)
- eCalculate the net salary, Y. (2)
- fThe payroll office deducts PAYE straight from the monthly table and ignores Thabo's medical tax credits. Thabo claims that he will therefore have overpaid MORE than R8 500 in income tax by the end of the tax year. Verify, showing ALL calculations, whether his claim is valid. (8)
Hint
Work out what Thabo SHOULD pay for the year (rates table → rebate → medical credits) and compare it with 12 × the PAYE on his payslip.
Worked answer
a) Pay As You Earn ✓✓A
b) Gross salary (gross income) ✓✓A
c) The employer pays 2 of the 5 equal parts of the total, so Thabo pays the other 3 parts.
One part = R2 490,00 ÷ 3 ✓M = R830,00
Employer = 2 × R830,00 = R1 660,00 ✓A (total contribution = R4 150,00)
d) X = R4 198 ✓✓RT (row R27 701 – R27 800, column 'UNDER 65')
e) Y = R30 000,00 − (R4 198 + R177,12 + R2 250,00 + R2 490,00) ✓M
= R20 884,88 ✓CA
f) Annual taxable income = R27 750,00 × 12 ✓M = R333 000,00 (tax bracket 2)
Tax before rebates = R42 678 + 26% × (R333 000,00 − R237 100) ✓SF
= R42 678 + R24 934,00 = R67 612,00 ✓CA
Rebate: R17 235 ✓RT
Medical tax credits = (R364 + R364) × 12 ✓M = R8 736
Tax payable for the year = R67 612,00 − R17 235 − R8 736 = R41 641,00 ✓CA
PAYE deducted in the year = R4 198 × 12 = R50 376
Overpaid = R50 376 − R41 641,00 ✓M = R8 735,00
R8 735,00 is more than R8 500, so the claim is VALID ✓O
Modelled on Nov 2025 Paper 1, Question 2.1 — same skills, new scenario.
Question 13
MetroLink runs commuter trains between a township and the city centre. Passengers pay with a smart card. The fares for Zone 1 are shown in the table below.
METROLINK FARES: ZONE 1
| PACKAGE | ADULT | SCHOLAR | PENSIONER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single (1 trip) | R19,50 | R12,00 | R9,50 |
| Weekly (10 trips) | R165,00 | R98,00 | R80,00 |
| Monthly (44 trips) | R640,00 | R385,00 | — |
NOTE: — means that the package is not offered to that category. A once-off smart-card fee of R50,00 is payable.
- aCalculate the percentage that a scholar saves on a single trip compared with an adult. (3)
- bAn adult buys a monthly package and uses all 44 trips. Calculate how much she saves PER TRIP compared with buying single trips. (5)
- cDetermine the probability that a pensioner, chosen at random, travels on a monthly package that was bought in the pensioner category. (2)
- dMr Dube, an adult, loads R600,00 onto a NEW smart card. The card fee is deducted from this amount. Determine the maximum number of trips that he can take if he buys only weekly packages with the rest of the money. (4)
Hint
Only WHOLE packages can be bought: after dividing, round down, and then multiply by the number of trips per package.
Worked answer
a) Saving = R19,50 − R12,00 = R7,50 ✓RT
Percentage saving = R7,50 ÷ R19,50 × 100% ✓M
= 38,46% ✓A
b) Monthly package: R640,00 ÷ 44 trips ✓RT ✓M
= R14,55 per trip ✓A
Saving per trip = R19,50 − R14,55 ✓M
= R4,95 ✓CA
c) 0 ✓✓A (impossible — the monthly package is not offered to pensioners)
d) Money available for packages = R600,00 − R50,00 ✓M = R550,00
Number of weekly packages = R550,00 ÷ R165,00 ✓M = 3,33
≈ 3 packages ✓R (a part of a package cannot be bought, so round DOWN)
Maximum number of trips = 3 × 10 = 30 trips ✓A
Modelled on Nov 2025 Paper 1, Question 2.2 — same skills, new scenario.
Question 14
Sizwe hires out gazebos for functions. A customer pays a refundable deposit of R600,00 per gazebo, plus a daily rate of R320,00 for a small gazebo or R480,00 for a large gazebo. The deposit is paid back when the gazebo is returned undamaged. The table shows what a customer pays when collecting ONE gazebo.
AMOUNT PAYABLE WHEN HIRING ONE GAZEBO
| GAZEBO | 1 day | 2 days | 3 days | 5 days | 7 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small gazebo | R920,00 | R1 240,00 | R1 560,00 | R2 200,00 | R2 840,00 |
| Large gazebo | R1 080,00 | R1 560,00 | R2 040,00 | A | R3 960,00 |
NOTE: The amounts in the table INCLUDE the refundable deposit.
- aWrite down a formula, starting with Amount payable (in rand) = …, for the amount that a customer pays when collecting a large gazebo that is hired for a number of days. (2)
- bCalculate the missing value A. (3)
- cDuring one long weekend Sizwe hired out 6 small gazebos for 3 days each and 4 large gazebos for 2 days each. One large gazebo came back with a torn roof, so he kept the deposit for that gazebo. All the other deposits were paid back. According to the owner's records, the total income from these hires was R10 200,00. Verify, showing ALL calculations, whether this statement is valid. (6)
- dA canvas repairer gives Sizwe the following quote for the torn roof: material R285,00, plus labour at R140,00 for every hour or part of an hour. The job will take 2 hours and 20 minutes. The owner says that the deposit that was kept will pay for the whole repair. Verify, showing ALL calculations, whether this statement is valid. (4)
Hint
Income is what the owner KEEPS: the daily rates, plus any deposit that is not paid back.
Worked answer
a) Amount payable (in rand) = 600 + 480 × number of days ✓A ✓A (deposit + rate × days)
b) A = R600,00 + R480,00 × 5 ✓SF ✓M
= R3 000,00 ✓A
c) Small gazebo: 6 × R320,00 × 3 days ✓M = R5 760,00 ✓A
Large gazebo: 4 × R480,00 × 2 days ✓M = R3 840,00 ✓A
Rental income = R5 760,00 + R3 840,00 = R9 600,00
All the deposits are paid back except ONE large gazebo deposit of R600,00, which the owner keeps.
Total income = R9 600,00 + R600,00 = R10 200,00 ✓CA
The owner's figure of R10 200,00 is correct, so the claim is VALID ✓O
d) Labour: 2 h 20 min is charged as 3 full hours ✓R
Quote = R285,00 + 3 × R140,00 ✓M = R705,00 ✓A
The deposit of R600,00 is LESS than R705,00, so it does NOT cover the repair ✓O
Modelled on Nov 2025 Paper 1, Question 4.1 — same skills, new scenario.
Question 15
Kagiso runs a safari business in Maun, Botswana. He wants to buy a game-viewing vehicle from a dealer who offers two payment options, in Botswana pula (P). The options and some exchange rates are shown below.
PAYMENT OPTIONS (all amounts EXCLUDE 14% VAT)
| OPTION A | OPTION B | |
|---|---|---|
| Period | 24 months | 48 months |
| Deposit plus first instalment | P96 000,00 | P60 000,00 |
| Further monthly instalments | 23 × P21 500,00 | 47 × P13 900,00 |
| Maintenance plan (per month, for the full period) | P1 850,00 | P1 850,00 |
EXCHANGE RATES ON 3 MARCH 2025
| CURRENCY | RAND PER UNIT | UNITS PER R1,00 |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana pula (BWP) | R1,34 | 0,7463 |
| US dollar (USD) | R18,25 | 0,0548 |
| Euro (EUR) | R19,90 | 0,0503 |
| British pound (GBP) | R23,40 | 0,0427 |
- aCalculate the total cost, excluding VAT, of the maintenance plan for OPTION A over the full period. (2)
- bGive ONE reason why Kagiso might choose OPTION B although it runs over a longer period. (2)
- cCalculate the total amount, including 14% VAT, that will be paid if OPTION A is chosen (all instalments plus the maintenance plan). (7)
- dThe first payment for OPTION A (deposit plus first instalment, excluding VAT) will be paid from an account in US dollars. Use the exchange-rate table to convert this payment to US dollars. (First convert the payment to rand.) (5)
Hint
Add the three parts of the cost first; the VAT is added once, at the end.
Worked answer
a) P1 850,00 × 24 ✓M = P44 400,00 ✓A
b) The first payment and the monthly instalments of Option B are lower, so it is easier on his monthly cash flow ✓✓O.
c) Further instalments = 23 × P21 500,00 ✓M = P494 500,00 ✓A
Maintenance plan = P1 850,00 × 24 = P44 400,00 ✓M
Total excluding VAT = P96 000,00 + P494 500,00 + P44 400,00 ✓M = P634 900,00 ✓CA
Including VAT: P634 900,00 × 1,14 ✓M = P723 786,00 ✓CA
d) In rand: P96 000,00 × R1,34 ✓RT ✓M = R128 640,00 ✓A
In US dollars: R128 640,00 × 0,0548 ✓M = USD7 049,47 ✓CA
(Dividing by the 'rand per unit' value instead gives a slightly different, but acceptable, answer.)
Modelled on Nov 2025 Paper 1, Question 5.1 — same skills, new scenario.
Question 16
Mr Jacobs heats his house with LP gas from a 48 kg cylinder. The bar graph shows the average price per kilogram that his supplier charged during four months of 2025. The table shows the country's general month-on-month inflation rates (for all consumer prices) for the same months; one rate was left out.
GENERAL MONTH-ON-MONTH INFLATION RATES FOR THE SAME FOUR MONTHS
| MONTH | May | June | July | August | AVERAGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MONTHLY INFLATION RATE | 0,3% | 0,5% | A | 0,2% | 0,4% |
NOTE: The vertical axis of the graph does NOT start at zero.
- aCalculate the missing inflation rate A for July. (3)
- bMr Jacobs says that it cost MORE than R60,00 extra to fill an empty 48 kg cylinder in July than in May. Verify, showing ALL calculations, whether this statement is valid. (5)
- cSuppose the price of LP gas rose from April to May exactly in line with the May inflation rate. Calculate the price per kilogram in April. (3)
- dDescribe the trend in the price of LP gas over the four months. (3)
This question has a diagram, shown in the app.
Hint
Read each bar against the gridlines: every small gridline is 10 cents.
Worked answer
a) Sum of the four rates = 0,4% × 4 ✓M = 1,6%
A = 1,6% − (0,3% + 0,5% + 0,2%) ✓M
= 0,6% ✓A
b) May: R34,20 and July: R35,60 per kg ✓RG
Full cylinder in May = 48 × R34,20 ✓M = R1 641,60
Full cylinder in July = 48 × R35,60 = R1 708,80 ✓A
Difference = R1 708,80 − R1 641,60 ✓M = R67,20
R67,20 is more than R60,00, so the statement is VALID ✓O
c) Price in May = earlier price × (1 + 0,3%) ✓M
Earlier price = R34,20 ÷ 1,003 ✓M
= R34,10 ✓A
d) The price rose from May to July ✓ (from R34,20 to R35,60 per kg) ✓ and then dropped in August to R35,10 ✓.
Modelled on Nov 2025 Paper 1, Question 5.2 — same skills, new scenario.