Whole Numbers, Integers & Exponents is one of 8 topics in the Grade 9 Mathematics CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. Which of these is an irrational number?
sqrt(2)
0.5
4
-3
Answer: sqrt(2) — sqrt(2) cannot be written as a simple fraction and its decimal never terminates or repeats, so it is irrational. The others are all rational.
Easy
2. A salesperson earns 5% commission on a sale of R40 000. Calculate the commission.
Answer: 2000 — Commission = 5% x 40000 = 0.05 x 40000 = R2000.
Medium
3. Which statement correctly distinguishes direct from indirect (inverse) proportion?
In direct proportion both quantities increase together at the same rate; in indirect proportion one increases while the other decreases, keeping their product constant
Direct and indirect proportion mean exactly the same thing
In direct proportion quantities always decrease together
Indirect proportion only applies to money problems
Answer: In direct proportion both quantities increase together at the same rate; in indirect proportion one increases while the other decreases, keeping their product constant — Direct proportion: both quantities rise or fall together at a constant rate (their ratio stays fixed). Indirect/inverse proportion: as one rises the other falls, keeping their product fixed.
