Grade 12 · Mathematics · Paper 1 · CAPS
Sequences and Series – Grade 12 Mathematics (Paper 1)
What Sequences and Series covers, how it is examined in Mathematics Paper 1, the 7 sections to study and how long it takes – plus live online lessons when you get stuck.
- Study sections
- 7
- Exam-style questions
- 14
- Marks of practice
- 166
- Study time
- ≈ 7 h 35 min
What it covers
Number patterns covers three kinds of sequence: quadratic patterns from Grade 11, whose second differences never change, arithmetic sequences that grow by adding the same amount, and geometric sequences that grow by multiplying by the same ratio. In Grade 12 you find general terms, write sums in sigma notation and add terms with the arithmetic and geometric series formulas – including the sum to infinity of a geometric series, which only exists when the ratio lies between −1 and 1. Exam questions often wrap these ideas in a word problem that asks which term, or how many terms, give a certain value.
How it is examined
- Paper
- Mathematics Paper 1 – Friday 23 October 2026, 09:00 (3 hours, 150 marks)
- Weighting
- Number patterns ≈ 25/150 in Paper 1
- Questions
- In a typical paper you will find it in Questions 2–3 of Mathematics Paper 1.
Question numbers and mark splits are typical, not fixed – they vary a little from year to year.
Sections to study
- Quadratic number patterns35 min
- Arithmetic sequences and series35 min
- Geometric sequences and series35 min
- Sum to infinity30 min
- Sigma notation35 min
- Simultaneous equations and sum formulas40 min
- Applications and word problems35 min
Study time
| Notes and worked examples7 sections | 4 h 05 min |
|---|---|
| Exam-style questions14 questions · 166 marks × 1,2 min per mark | 3 h 20 min |
| Topic quiz | 10 min |
| Total | ≈ 7 h 35 min |
Mathematics Paper 1 is written on Friday 23 October 2026 at 09:00.
What you get in the portal
- 14 exam-style questions on Sequences and Series (166 marks in total), each with a full marking memo
- Worked examples with diagrams and step-by-step calculations for each of the 7 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 Sequences and Series? Book a one-on-one lesson.
R250 per hour – 60, 90 or 120 minutes, online from anywhere in South Africa. Pick Sequences and Series as your topic; you pay by EFT only after the tutor confirms.
Related Maths P1 topics
Questions about Sequences and Series
How many marks is Sequences and Series worth in the matric exam?
In Mathematics Paper 1 (3 hours, 150 marks) the usual weighting is: Number patterns ≈ 25/150 in Paper 1. In a typical paper you will find it in Questions 2–3 of Mathematics Paper 1. The exact marks change a little from year to year.
How long does it take to study Sequences and Series?
About 7 h 35 min: 4 h 05 min for the notes and worked examples in its 7 sections, 3 h 20 min for the 14 exam-style questions (166 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 Sequences and Series?
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 Sequences and Series as your topic. You pay by EFT only after the tutor confirms the booking.