Western Cape Education Department

Directorate: Curriculum FET

Learner revision material

Technical Mathematics

GRADE 11

TERM 1

2024
GRADE 11 TERM 1-2024 Technical Mathematics

Content Page

PAPER 1

Exponents and surds 3-4

Logarithms 5-6
Equations and 7-8
inequalities
Nature of the roots 9
Exam questions 10-13

PAPER 2

Analytical geometry 14-17

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 GRADE 11 TERM 1-2024 Technical Mathematics

Exponents and surds

Laws:

• 𝑥 𝑚 × 𝑥 𝑛 = 𝑥 𝑚+𝑛
• 𝑥 𝑚 ÷ 𝑥 𝑛 = 𝑥 𝑚−𝑛
• (𝑥 𝑚 )𝑛 = 𝑥 𝑚𝑛
• 𝑥. 𝑦)𝑛 = 𝑥 𝑛 × 𝑦 𝑛
𝑥 𝑚 𝑥𝑚
• (𝑦) = 𝑦𝑚
1
• 𝑥 −𝑚 = 𝑥𝑚
• 𝑥0 = 1
Rule for rational exponent:
𝑚
•
𝑛
√𝑥 𝑚 = 𝑥 𝑛

Surds

Surds rule:

Surd Rule Example Explanation

1. xy = x  y 27 = 3  9 Need to change to two numbers

that can multiply to give 27,
Or = 3 9 important one must be a perfect
n xy = n
x n y = 3 3 square and other a prime number.
=3 3
x x 4 4 2
2. = = =
y y 25 25 5
Or

n
x x
n =
y n y
m 4
n
xm = x n a4 = a 2 = a2
( x)
m
n
= m
xn ( x)
3
2
= 3 x2

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GRADE 11 TERM 1-2024 Technical Mathematics

Multiplication and division of surds

We apply the following strategy:

• When multiplying surds, we multiply numbers outside root sign together and then
multiply the numbers under the root sign. a c  d k = ad ck
• When dividing surds, we divide numbers outside root sign together and then divide the
numbers under the root sign.

a c
a c d k =
d k

Rationalise fractions with irrational denominators

Rationalise is a term used to get rid of the surd in the denominator.
Procedure to rationalise the denominator:

• If the fraction is having one term in the denominator, we multiply both the numerator and
the denominator with the same value of the given denominator e.g.
1 2

2 2
• If the fraction consists of 2 terms in the denomination with one of the terms of both
1 2−2 3
having surds, we multiply by the conjugate e.g. 
2+2 3 2−2 3

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 GRADE 11 TERM 1-2024 Technical Mathematics

Logarithms

Defining logarithms
• A logarithm of a number is the exponent by which another fixed value, the base,
must be raised to produce that number. Logarithmic functions are closely related to
exponents as they are inverses of each other.
• The logarithm of 1000 to base 10 is 3, written as log10 1000 = 3
• We refer logarithm as log
• Changing from exponential form to logarithmic form:

x = ay y = log a y
• If Also, if
y = log a y x = ay

• x  0, a  0 and a  1

Logarithmic laws

Log Rule Example

3. log a xy = loga x + log a y a) log ab = log a + log b

OR b) log3 5 y = log3 5 + log3 y
loga x + loga y = loga xy

a
a) log = log a − log b
x b
4. log a = log a x − log a y
y 7
b) log5 = log5 7 − log5 x
OR x

x
log a x − log a y = log a
y
log a x n = n log a x a) log 5 3 = 3 log 5
OR b) 2 log x = log x 2
n log a x = log a x n

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GRADE 11 TERM 1-2024 Technical Mathematics

The following deductions are made from the application of the laws:

Deductions Examples
loga a = 1 a) log10 = 1 (log10 10 = 1; base is 10)
b) log 3 3 = 1
log b 1 = 0 Note: log1 = 0 Irrespective of the base
log a When the base is not indicated it means the base is 10
We assume the base is 10 log100 = log10 100
log1 a is undefined It is undefined if the base is 1, for example log1 4
Therefore, in the expression log x a , x  1
logb 0 is undefined log3 0 is undefined

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GRADE 11 TERM 1-2024 Technical Mathematics

Equations and inequalities

Solving quadratic equations

A quadratic equation is any equation in the form ax 2 + bx + c = 0

Where x represents an unknown(variable) and a, b and c are constants.

When a quadratic equation is written in descending order of powers and equals 0, for
example ax 2 + bx + c = 0 , it is called the standard form of the equation, where

• a – the coefficient of x 2
• b – the coefficient of x
• c – constant value

Steps to follow when solving:

1. Write the equation in standard form

2. Factorise the equation OR solve quadratic equation by means of quadratic formula
3. Find the unknown value(s)
The quadratic formula is used to solve for equation that can/cannot factorise
The formula is:

− b  b 2 − 4ac
x =
2a

Step 1: Write the equation in standard form

Step 2: Identify the numerical values of a, b and c
from
standard form
Step 3: Substitute the numerical values

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GRADE 11 TERM 1-2024 Technical Mathematics

Solving quadratic inequalities

The method for solving quadratic inequalities is similar to the method for solving quadratic
equations. The difference is we use sign table or graphs to help us to get to values of x
Steps to follow when solving quadratic inequality:
Step 1: Write all terms on one side and 0 on the other side of the inequality sign
Step 2: Factorise
Step 3: Determine the numbers that will make each factor = 0. That is where the
sign will change. Mostly these are referred as critical values
Step 4: Draw a sign table to determine the sign of each factor OR draw a graph
Solving simultaneous equations
A set of simultaneous equations consists of TWO unknown variables that can be solved.
In this section you will solve equations, where one is linear, y = mx + c and the other
quadratic, y = ax 2 + bx + c

The solution in the two equations, ( x ; y ) must satisfy both equations

Simple steps to follow when solving:

Step 1: Number the given equations as eq. 1 and 2
Step 2: On the linear equation, make one variable the subject of the formula, please
try and make the one with co-efficient of 1 as a subject, unless there in none
with co-efficient of 1
Step 3: Substitute that variable in the quadratic equation, please whenever you
substitute, use brackets
Step 4: Simplify, and make LHS or RHS to be equal to zero
Step 5: Factorise or use quadratic formula to solve for the TWO values
Step 6: Re-substitute the values on the equation that was isolated in Step 2

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GRADE 11 TERM 1-2024 Technical Mathematics

Nature of roots
The roots of any quadratic equation, ax 2 + bx + c = 0 are determined by the quadratic formula,
−𝑏±√𝑏2 −4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎
and the nature of the roots is determined by the value of the discriminant, 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 represented
by a symbol  ( delta).

The discriminant is the name given to the expression that appears under the square root sign in the
quadratic formula

The nature of roots describes the intercept of the parabola with x – axes.

Conditions for the nature of the roots:

Nature of the Explanation

roots
 = b 2 − 4ac
If   0 , and a There will be TWO rational roots
perfect square

If   0 , and a There will be TWO unequal

not a perfect irrational roots, the square root
square will have to be worked on a
calculator, the answer will have
decimals
If  = 0 The TWO roots will rational and
equal, therefore there will be ONE
root
If   0 The square root will have negative
number which in non-real.

Learners will be asked to:

• Describe the nature of the roots.
• Determine the unknown value(s) if the condition of the roots are given

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GRADE 11 TERM 1-2024 Technical Mathematics

EXAM QUESTIONS
ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS
QUESTION 1
Simplify the following the expressions:

1
1.1 (2)
 1 2
2 
 4

1.2 ( 3x ) − 2 (3)
3x − 3

1.3 (
3 x4  y −4 ) 2

(xy ) − 3 (5)

(
2 x  y2 ) 2
( 3x −2
 y4 )
2

1.4 3x +1 − 3x −1 (3)
2 .3 x

1.5 (
3 3+ 6 + 2 ) (3)

1.6 (3 − 2 )(3 + 2 ) (3)

1.7 8 x 2 − 4 72 x 2 + 5 98x 2 (3)

1.8 log 9 (3)

1
log
3

1.9 log3 27 − log7 7 (3)

1.10 log3 (x2 – 1) – log3 (x + 1) (4)

1.11 2 log3 5 − log3 50 + log3 6 (4)

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GRADE 11 TERM 1-2024 Technical Mathematics

1.12 log 3 + log 27 (4)

log 81 − log 9

1.13 9 (3)
48 − 3

1.14 75 − 27 (4)
12

1.15 45 − 20 (4)
125

1.16 2 n 32 + 2 n 2 (4)
2 n 50

QUESTION 2

Nature of the roots

2.1 The roots of a quadratic equation are 𝑥 = 5 ± √2𝑝 − 1 .

2.1.1 Determine the value of 𝑝 for which the roots are real. (2)

2.1.2 Determine the value of 𝑝 for which the roots:

a) are equal (1)

b) imaginary (2)

2.2 Given: 3 x 2 + 2 x + 2 = 0

2.2.1 Determine the numerical value of the discriminant (  ) of the equation. (2)

2.2.2 Hence, describe the nature of the roots of the equation. (1)

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GRADE 11 TERM 1-2024 Technical Mathematics

2.3 Given: x 2 − 2 p x = 3 p 2 where p  Real numbers

2.2.1 Write the equation in the form ax 2 + b x + c = 0 (1)

2.2.2 Hence, without solving the equation, show that the roots of the equation are
rational. (3)

EQUATIONS AND INEQUALITIES

QUESTION 3

3.1 Solve for x:

3 (3)
3.1.1 2x 4 = 16

3.1.2 3 x − 3 x − 2 = 24 (4)

3.2 Solve for x:

3.2.1 ( x + 2)(3x − 6) = 0 (2)

3.2.2 x ( x − 4 ) = 21 (4)

3.2.3 ( 2 x − 1) ( x + 3 ) = 12x + 1 (5)

3.2.4 ( x + 2) ( x − 5) = − 6 (4)

3.3 Solve for x: (correct to TWO decimal places)

3.3.1 x 2 − 5x = 2 (4)

3.3.2 2x 2 = 7x − 4 (4)

3 (4)
3.3.3 = 7x − 5
x

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GRADE 11 TERM 1-2024 Technical Mathematics

3.4 Solve for x:

3.4.1 x 2 − 2x  3 (4)

3.4.2 2 x 2 − 7 x − 4  0 (4)

3.4.3 − x 2 + 5x − 4  0 (4)

3.5 Solve for x:

3.5.1 log ( x + 3 ) + log x = 1 (4)

3.5.2 2 log x = log ( 2 x + 3 ) (3)

3.5.3 log5 ( x + 3 ) + log5 ( x − 1) = 1 (5)

3.5.4 log x 32 + log x 4 − log x 16 = log 5 125 (5)

3.6 Solve for x and y if:

3.6.1 y − x = 3 and 3x 2 + xy − y 2 = − 3 (6)

3.6.2 2 y + x − 1 = 0 and 3x 2 − x − y = 3 (7)

3.6.3 y − x + 2 = 0 and x 2 + 2 x + y 2 − 6 y = 40 (7)

3.6.4 2 x − y = 1 and x 2 − 2 xy + 2 x − y 2 = 0 (7)

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GRADE 11 TERM 1-2024 Technical Mathematics

PAPER 2
Analytical geometry

• The distance between two points:

d = (x2 − x1 ) + ( y 2 − y1 )

• The gradient of the line segment joining two points:

y 2 − y1
m=
x 2 − x1

• The coordinates of the midpoint of the line segment joining two points:

 x + x 2 y1 + y 2 
M= 1 ; 
 2 2 

• The equation of the straight line joining two points:

y − y1 = m (x − x1 )

• If two lines are parallel, they have the same gradient

• If two lines are perpendicular, the product of their gradients is − 1 .

m1  m2 = − 1

• The angle of inclination of a line is the angle between the line and the positive x-
axis
• It is always between 0 and 180
• To find the angle of inclination of a line:
tan  = m

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GRADE 11 TERM 1-2024 Technical Mathematics

EXAM QUESTIONS
QUESTION 4

The picture below shows the triangular rooftop of a building. The diagram next to the picture
represents the triangular rooftop in the Cartesian plane with origin O.
In the diagram, A (–2; –1), B (– 4; k) and C (2; 1) are the vertices of  ABC with
M (–1; 2) the midpoint of BC.
The angle of inclination,  , is the angle between AC and the positive x-axis.

DIAGRAM

4.1 Determine:

4.1.1 The numerical value of k (2)

4.1.2 The gradient of AC (2)

4.1.3 The size of  (in degrees) (2)

4.1.4 The equation of straight line BC in the form y = ... (3)

4.2 If O is the midpoint of AC, use analytical geometry methods to show that:

4.2.1 MO || BA (3)

1 (3)
4.2.2 MO = BA
2

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GRADE 11 TERM 1-2024 Technical Mathematics

QUESTION 5

The building shown in the picture below, has sides in the form of quadrilaterals.
Quadrilateral ABDF models a side view of the building, in the Cartesian plane, with vertices
A (−2 ; 8 ) , B , D and F ( − 8 ; − 4 ).
∧
The acute angle formed by the x-axis and BD is 76 and D = α
FD is parallel to the x-axis.
(The diagram is NOT drawn to scale.)

Determine:

5.1 The size of  (1)

5.2 The length of AF (leave answer in simplified surd form) (2)

5.3 The gradient of BD (rounded off to the nearest integer) (2)

5.4 The coordinates of the midpoint of AF (2)

5.5 Hence, the equation of the perpendicular bisector of AF in the form y = ... (5)

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GRADE 11 TERM 1-2024 Technical Mathematics

QUESTION 6

P ( − 2 ; − 4 ) , Q ( − 4 ; 2 ) and R ( 7 ; − 1) are the vertices of  PQR in

a Cartesian plane as shown in the diagram below.  is an angle of
inclination of PQ. M and T are the midpoints of QR and QP respectively.

6.1 Determine the gradients of QP and PR (4)

6.2 What can you conclude about QP and PR.? (2)

6.3 Calculate the value of  , to the nearest degree. (3)

6.4 Determine the coordinates of M. (2)

6.5 Hence, determine the equation of the line MN, passing through M and
parallel to PR. (5)

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