VCE Mathematics
General Mathematics
Students should have successfully completed Maths General or Maths Methods to undertake this subject.
Units 1 & 2
Course Description:
General Mathematics provides for different combinations of student interests as well as preparation for study of VCE Mathematics at the Unit 3 and 4 level. Some students will not study Mathematics beyond Units 1 and 2, while others will intend to study Further Mathematics Units 3 and 4. Others will also be studying Mathematics Methods Units 1 and 2 and intend to study Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 and, in some cases, Specialist Mathematics Units 3 and 4 as well.
Units 1 and 2 involve the study of selected material from the areas of study: ‘Algebra and structure’, ‘Arithmetic and number’, ‘Discrete mathematics’, ‘Geometry, measurement and trigonometry’, ‘Graphs of linear and non-linear relations’ and ‘Statistics’. Students practise mathematical algorithms, routines and techniques and use them to solve standard problems; apply mathematical knowledge and skills in unfamiliar situations which require investigative, modelling, or problem-solving approaches and use technology appropriately and effectively to learn mathematics and apply it in different contexts.
Assessment:
- Tests
- Investigation Project(s)
- Problem Solving Tasks
- Semester Examinations
Special Course Commitments:
A CAS Calculator is required and may be retained for Further Mathematics 3 & 4.
(TI-Nspire recommended)
Further Maths
Satisfactory completion of General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 and/or Specialist Mathematics Unit 1 & 2 is highly recommended.
Units 3 & 4
Course Description:
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’. In undertaking these units, students are expected to be able to apply techniques, routines and processes involving rational and real arithmetic, sets, lists and tables, diagrams and geometric constructions, algebraic manipulation, equations, and graphs. Students should be able to apply these techniques with and without the use of technology using estimation and computation. The use of numerical, graphical, geometric, symbolic, financial and statistical functionality of technology for teaching and learning mathematics, for working mathematically, and in related assessment, is to be incorporated throughout each unit as applicable.
Assessment:
School-Assessed Coursework for this study consist of
- An Application Task
- Three Modelling or Problem Solving tasks
In addition there are two externally set examinations
Expected Skills:
The ability to apply the skills taught in General Mathematics Units 1 & 2.
Special Course Commitments:
A CAS Calculator is required – (TI-Nspire recommended)
Mathematical Methods
It is the expectation that students will have successfully completed Year 10 Maths Methods before under this subject at Unit 1 & 2 . Selection criteria will also be applied to students wishing to undertake these classes. This will include consideration of previous assessments, sitting a selection examination and receiving a teacher recommendation.
Units 1, 2, 3 & 4
Course Description:
Units 1 & 2 provide an introductory study of simple elementary functions, algebra, calculus, probability and statistics and their applications in a variety of practical and theoretical contexts and prepares students for Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4. It is also a pre-requisite for Specialist Mathematics Units 3 & 4. Areas of study include ‘Functions and graphs’, ‘Algebra’, ‘Calculus’, and ‘Probability and statistics’. In undertaking this unit, students are expected to be able to apply techniques, routines and processes involving rational and real arithmetic, sets, lists and tables, diagrams and geometric constructions, algebraic manipulation, equations, graphs, differentiation and anti-differentiation with and without the use of technology.
Assessment:
- Application tasks
- Topic tests
- Modelling and Problem Solving tasks
- Semester Examinations
Unit 3 & 4 usually follows satisfactory completion of the Mathematical Methods Unit 1 & 2 course. It extend the study of simple elementary functions to include combinations of these functions, algebra, calculus, probability and statistics, and their applications in a variety of practical and theoretical contexts. They also provide background for further study in, for example, science, humanities, economics and medicine. Throughout Mathematical Methods 3 & 4 students continue to apply mathematical procedures and use technology to solve problems in routine and unfamiliar contexts. Units 3 and 4 consist of the areas of study ‘Functions and graphs’, ‘Calculus’, ‘Algebra’ and ‘Probability and statistics’. Mathematics Methods 3 & 4 contains assumed knowledge from Mathematics Methods 1 & 2.
Assessment:
School-Assessed Coursework consists of
- An Application Task
- Two Problem Solving tasks
In addition there are two externally set examinations, one technology free and one technology enabled.
Expected Skills:
Good problem-solving skills and the ability to perform algebraic operations (e.g. factorising, transposing, etc.). You are also expected to work very hard both in class and at home. You will need good organisational skills to manage your time and workload.
Mathematics Methods 3 & 4 contains assumed knowledge from Mathematics Methods 1 & 2.
Special Course Commitments:
Students are required to purchase a CAS calculator. (TI-Nspire is recommended)
Specialist Mathematics
It is the expectation that students will have successfully completed Year 10 Maths Methods before undertaking Specialist Mathematics at Unit 1 & 2.
Units 1, 2, 3 & 4
Course Description:
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.
The areas of study for Units 1 and 2 of Specialist Mathematics are ‘Algebra and structure’, ‘Arithmetic and number’, ‘Discrete mathematics’, ‘Geometry, measurement and trigonometry’, ‘Graphs of linear and non-linear relations’ and ‘Statistics’.
Assessment:
- Topic Tests
- Application and Analysis tasks
- Problem Solving and Modelling tasks
- Semester Examinations
Specialist Mathematics Units 3 and 4 extend content from Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 to include rational and other quotient functions as well as other advanced mathematics topics such as complex numbers, vectors, differential equations, mechanics and statistical inference. It consist of the areas of study: ‘Functions and graphs’, ‘Algebra’, ‘Calculus’, ‘Vectors’, ‘Mechanics’ and ‘Probability and statistics’. The course highlights mathematical structure, reasoning and applications across a range of modelling contexts. Students practise mathematical algorithms, routines and techniques and use them to solve standard problems; apply mathematical knowledge and skills in unfamiliar situations which require investigative, modelling or problem-solving approaches and use technology appropriately and effectively to learn mathematics and apply it in different contexts.
Assessment:
School-Assessed Coursework, includes
- An Application Task
- Two Modelling or Problem Solving tasks
In addition there are two externally set examinations, one technology free and one technology enabled.
Expected Skills:
Good problem-solving skills and the ability to perform algebraic operations (e.g. factorising, transposing, etc.). You are expected to work very hard both in class and at home. You will need good organisational skills to manage your time and workload.
Students preparing to study Specialist Mathematics 3 & 4 are expected to have completed Specialist Mathematic and Mathematical Methods in Units 1 & 2. These, taken in conjunction, provide a comprehensive preparation for Specialist Mathematics Units 3 and 4.
Study of Specialist Mathematics Units 3 and 4 assumes concurrent study or previous completion of Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4.
Special Course Commitments:
A CAS calculator is required. (TI-Nspire recommended)