PROVINCIAL
ASSESSMENT TASK
GRADE 12
INVESTIGATION
FEBRUARY 2025
MARKS: 70 JUNE EXAMINATION 2012
TIME: 2 hours
This task consists of 6 pages.
Mathematics/ Investigation NSC – Grade 12 NW/ Feb 2025
INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION
Read the following instructions carefully before answering the questions.
1. This task consists of 3 QUESTIONS with PART A and PART B of which it should be
administered in 2 days indicted as follows:
PART A PART B
24TH FEBRUARY 2025-1 HOUR 25ST FEBRUARY 2025-1 HOUR
2. Answer ALL the questions.
3. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this question paper.
4. Clearly show ALL calculations, diagrams, graphs, et cetera which you have used in
determining your answers.
5. Answers only will not necessarily be awarded full marks.
6. You may use an approved scientific calculator (non-programmable and non-
graphical), unless stated otherwise.
7. If necessary, answers should be rounded off to FOUR decimal places, unless
stated otherwise AND (write answer in scientific notation form where necessary)
8. Diagrams are NOT necessarily drawn to scale.
9. Write neatly and legibly.
Mathematics/ Investigation NSC – Grade 12 NW/ Feb 2025
PART A
INVESTIGATING INFINITE GEOMETRIC SERIES
RESOURCES: CALCULATOR, A4 PAPER.
WHAT IS THE SUM OF AN INFINITE GEOMETRIC SERIES?
QUESTION 1
a(r n 1)
1.1 Given: Sn
r 1
1.1.1 Write S n in expanded form (1)
1.1.2 Which term in 1.1.1 is affected by the number of terms in the series? (1)
Consider r n (write answer in scientific notation form where necessary)
1.2 CASE 1: r 1
1.2.1 If r 1,001 determine the values of
(a) r 200 and S200 (2)
(b) r 20000 and S20000 (2)
1.2.2 Determine r 200 and S200 if:
5
(a) r (2)
2
(b) r 3 (2)
1.2.3 Make a conjecture with regard to r n and S n as n (2)
1.3 CASE 2: r 1
1.3.1 If r 1,001 , determine the value of r n if
(a) n 9999 (1)
(b) n 10000 (1)
Mathematics/ Investigation NSC – Grade 12 NW/ Feb 2025
1.3.2 Make a conjecture with regard to r n and S n as n (2)
1.4 CASE 3: r 1
1.4.1 What is the sum of the geometric series
Sn a ar ar 2 ... ar n 1 if r 1? (2)
1.4.2 Make a conjecture with regard to r n and S n as n (2)
1.5 CASE 4: r 1
1.5.1 What is the sum of the geometric series
Sn a ar ar 2 ... ar n 1 if r 1? (3)
1.5.2 Do the sums above approach some finite particular number as n
i.e. is the sequence divergent or convergent? (1)
1.6 CASE 5: 1 r 1
REQUIREMENTS:
- One A4 papers
- Provided grid
1.6.1 Write THREE possible values of r such that 1 r 1 . (1)
1.6.2 Step 1. Cut the A4 size paper along the longest side into two equal
Rectangles and define their areas to be 16 unit2. (1)
1.6.3 Step 2. Place one half of the rectangle in Step 1 on the desktop and cut
the other half along the longest side in to two equal rectangles. (1)
1.6.4 Step 3. Place one half of the rectangle in Step 2 on the desktop and cut
the other half along the longest side into two equal rectangles. (1)
1.6.5 Step 4. Continue with the procedures from Step 3 until you find it too
difficult to fold and cut the piece of paper you are holding. (1)
1.6.6 Step 5. The first piece of paper you placed on the desktop has an area
1
of the area of the A4. The second piece of paper has an area of
2
1
the area of the A4. Write the areas of the next three pieces of
4
paper. (3)
1.6.7 Explain why these areas form a geometric sequence. (1)
Mathematics/ Investigation NSC – Grade 12 NW/ Feb 2025
5
[36]
PART B
1.6.8 Copy and complete the table by recording the number of pieces of
paper on the desktop.
Submit these evidence of pieces of paper pasted on a bigger sheet. (2)
Number of pieces on Combined area Sum of area(s)
desktop
1 16 16
2 16 8 24
3 16 8 4
(2)
1.6.9 Which integer value does the sum of areas in 1.6.8 approach? (1)
1.6.10 (a) Make a conjecture with regard to r n as n . (2)
(b) Then write a formula for S with reference to 1.1.1. (2)
1.6.11 Use this new formula to determine the combined area after n cuts. (3)
1
1.6.12 Calculate: 32. 2
n0
n
(4)
[16]
Mathematics/ Investigation NSC – Grade 12 NW/ Feb 2025
6
APPLICATION
QUESTION 2
Given that: 4.3
k 1
2 k
2.1 Is the above geometric series is convergent or divergent. Justify your answer (3)
2
2.2 If further given that 4.3
k p
2 k
9
, determine the value of p. (5)
[8]
QUESTION 3
An infinite sequence is drawn with circles inscribed in each squares as shown. Each squares
is half the size of the square before it. The area of the first square is 36 cm 2 .
3.1 Determine the circumference of the 5th circle. (5)
3.2 Determine the sum of the circumference of the first 5 circles. (2)
3.3 Determine the sum of the circumference of all the circles formed in the sequence. (3)
[10]
TOTAL: [70]
