Mathematics

All students study Mathematics as a core subject from Year 7 to Year 10.

Our extensive Mathematics curriculum includes a number of general mathematical areas that lead to a variety of careers and further studies.

Skill development areas include consumer mathematics, algebra and graphing (linear and quadratic), geometry, trigonometry, statistics and probability.

All students are expected to have access to their own scientific calculator. A CAS calculator is required to study Mathematics in the senior levels.

VCE MATHEMATICS

There are three Mathematics courses at Unit 1-2 level and three at Unit 3-4 level.

GENERAL MATHEMATICS UNITS 1 & 2

This course is for students who intend to undertake at least Further Mathematics at Unit 3 & 4 Level. General Mathematics may be taken alone or in conjunction with Mathematical Methods (CAS) Units 1 & 2. These subjects contain assumed knowledge and skills for related material in Further Mathematics Units 3 & 4. They are strongly recommended, in addition to Mathematical Methods Units (CAS) Units 1 & 2, as preparation for Specialist Mathematics Units 3 & 4.

ASSESSMENT UNITS 1 & 2

Assignments; tests; summary or review notes; projects; short written responses; problem-solving tasks; modelling tasks; End of unit examinations.

AREAS OF STUDY

‘Linear Relations and Equations’, ‘Arithmetic and number’, ‘Discrete mathematics’, ‘Geometry, measurement and trigonometry’, ‘Graphs of linear and non-linear relations’ and ‘Statistics’.

FURTHER MATHEMATICES UNITS 3 & 4

This course follows on from any Unit 1& 2 Mathematics course. It extends the topics commenced in General Mathematics Unit 1& 2.  It may be taken alone, or in conjunction with Mathematical Methods 3 & 4.

AREAS OF STUDY

Further Mathematics consists of two areas of study, a compulsory Core area of study to be completed in Unit 3 and an Applications area of study to be completed in Unit 4. The Core comprises ‘Data analysis’ and ‘Recursion and financial modelling’. The Applications comprises two modules to be completed in their entirety, from a selection of four possible modules: ‘Matrices’, ‘Networks and decision mathematics’, ‘Geometry and measurement’ and ‘Graphs and relations’

MATHEMATICAL METHODS (CAS) UNITS 1 & 2

Students attempting Mathematical Methods (CAS) are expected to have a sound background in number, algebra, function, and probability and will require a year 10 maths teacher’s signature.

Mathematical Methods Units 1 and 2 provide an introductory study of simple elementary functions of a single real variable, algebra, calculus, probability and statistics and their applications in a variety of practical and theoretical contexts. They are designed as preparation for Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 and contain assumed knowledge and skills for these units. The focus of Unit 1 is the study of simple algebraic functions, and the areas of study are ‘Functions and graphs’, ‘Algebra’, ‘Calculus’ and ‘Probability and statistics’. In Unit 2 students focus on the study of simple transcendental functions and the calculus of simple algebraic functions. The areas of study are ‘Functions and graphs’, ‘Algebra’, ‘Calculus’, and ‘Probability and statistics’.

ASSESSMENT UNITS 1 & 2

Assignments; tests; summary or review notes; projects; short written responses; problem-solving tasks; modelling tasks; End of unit examinations.

AREAS OF STUDY

Functions & Graphs Functions; Algebra; Rates of Change & Calculus; Probability.

MATHEMATICAL METHODS UNITS 3 & 4

Mathematical Methods (CAS) 1 & 2 is prerequisite to Units 3 & 4. Mathematical Methods Units 3 & 4 may be taken alone or in conjunction with either Further Mathematics Units 3 & 4 or Specialist Mathematics Units 3 & 4.

Assumed knowledge and skills for Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 are contained in Mathematical Methods Units 1 and 2.  Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 are completely prescribed and extend the introductory study of simple elementary functions of a single real variable, to include combinations of these functions, algebra, calculus, probability and statistics, and their applications in a variety of practical and theoretical contexts. Units 3 and 4 consist of the areas of study ‘Functions and graphs’, ‘Calculus’, ‘Algebra’ and ‘Probability and statistics’

AREAS OF STUDY

Functions & Graphs; Algebra; Calculus; and Probability & statistics.

SPECIALIST MATHEMATICS UNITS 1 & 2

Specialist Mathematics Units 1 and 2 provide a course of study for students who wish to undertake an in-depth study of mathematics, with an emphasis on concepts, skills and processes related to mathematical structure, modelling, problem solving and reasoning. This study has a focus on interest in the discipline of mathematics in its own right and investigation of a broad range of applications, as well as development of a sound background for further studies in mathematics and mathematics related fields.

ASSESMENT UNITS 1 & 2

Assignments, tests, summary/review notes, projects, short written responses, problem-solving tasks, modelling tasks, and end of unit examinations.

AREAS OF STUDY

Algebra, Calculus, Vectors, Mechanics, Probability and Statistics.

SPECIALIST MATHEMATICS UNITS 3 & 4

Specialist Mathematics Units 3 and 4 assumes familiarity with the key knowledge and skills from Mathematical Methods Units 1 and 2, the key knowledge and skills from Specialist Mathematics Units 1 and 2 topics ‘Number systems and recursion’ and ‘Geometry in the plane and proof’, and concurrent or previous study of Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4. Together these cover the assumed knowledge and skills for Specialist Mathematics, which are drawn on as applicable in the development of content from the areas of study and key knowledge and skills for the outcomes.

In undertaking these units, students are expected to be able to apply techniques, routines and processes involving rational, real and complex arithmetic, sets, lists and tables, diagrams and geometric constructions, algebraic manipulation, equations, graphs, differentiation, anti-differentiation and integration and inference with and without the use of technology

AREAS OF STUDY

Algebra, Calculus, Vectors, Mechanics, Probability and Statistics.