Grade 12 · Mathematics · Paper 1 · CAPS
Financial Mathematics – Grade 12 Mathematics (Paper 1)
What Financial Maths covers, how it is examined in Mathematics Paper 1, the 5 sections to study and how long it takes – plus live online lessons when you get stuck.
- Study sections
- 5
- Exam-style questions
- 13
- Marks of practice
- 114
- Study time
- ≈ 5 h 50 min
What it covers
Financial mathematics starts with growth and decay – simple and compound interest, and depreciation on a straight-line or a reducing-balance basis – and converting between nominal and effective interest rates. Grade 12 adds annuities: the future-value formula for savings plans and sinking funds, and the present-value formula for loans, home loans and regular withdrawals. You also work out outstanding balances, the size of a final payment and, with logarithms, how many payments a loan needs.
How it is examined
- Paper
- Mathematics Paper 1 – Friday 23 October 2026, 09:00 (3 hours, 150 marks)
- Weighting
- Finance, growth & decay ≈ 15/150 in Paper 1
- Questions
- In a typical paper you will find it in Question 6 of Mathematics Paper 1.
Question numbers and mark splits are typical, not fixed – they vary a little from year to year.
Sections to study
- Growth, decay and interest-rate conversions40 min
- Future value annuities (saving up)35 min
- Present value annuities (loans and withdrawals)35 min
- Outstanding balance and the final payment45 min
- Sinking funds, deferred payments, missed payments and rate changes50 min
Study time
| Notes and worked examples5 sections | 3 h 25 min |
|---|---|
| Exam-style questions13 questions · 114 marks × 1,2 min per mark | 2 h 15 min |
| Topic quiz | 10 min |
| Total | ≈ 5 h 50 min |
Mathematics Paper 1 is written on Friday 23 October 2026 at 09:00.
What you get in the portal
- 13 exam-style questions on Financial Maths (114 marks in total), each with a full marking memo
- Worked examples with diagrams and step-by-step calculations for each of the 5 sections
- Tutor notes added to sections and questions – for the whole class or just for you
- A topic quiz, mock papers and a study plan that counts down to Mathematics Paper 1
Notes, worked examples, questions and memos open once the tutor approves your account – usually with your first confirmed lesson.
Stuck on Financial Maths? Book a one-on-one lesson.
R250 per hour – 60, 90 or 120 minutes, online from anywhere in South Africa. Pick Financial Maths as your topic; you pay by EFT only after the tutor confirms.
Related Maths P1 topics
Questions about Financial Maths
How many marks is Financial Maths worth in the matric exam?
In Mathematics Paper 1 (3 hours, 150 marks) the usual weighting is: Finance, growth & decay ≈ 15/150 in Paper 1. In a typical paper you will find it in Question 6 of Mathematics Paper 1. The exact marks change a little from year to year.
How long does it take to study Financial Maths?
About 5 h 50 min: 3 h 25 min for the notes and worked examples in its 5 sections, 2 h 15 min for the 13 exam-style questions (114 marks) at exam pace of 1,2 minutes per mark, and a 10-minute quiz.
When is the Mathematics Paper 1 exam in 2026?
Mathematics Paper 1 is written on Friday 23 October 2026 at 09:00 and lasts 3 hours (150 marks), according to the DBE’s 2026 NSC timetable. Confirm the date with your school, because the DBE can amend the timetable.
Can I get online lessons for Financial Maths?
Yes. Create a free account in the Adventuity portal, request a one-on-one online lesson of 60, 90 or 120 minutes (or a seat in a group class) and choose Financial Maths as your topic. You pay by EFT only after the tutor confirms the booking.