VCE: Mathematics

VCE Mathematics pathways from Year 10 to Year 12

Students at Norwood have four different Mathematics subjects to choose from over the course of their VCE. Course counselling begins for Year 9 students at the end of Term 1. During this time, students discuss their Mathematics pathways with their teacher and Careers/Pathways Coordinator to ensure they choose the correct Mathematics subject for their future careers and aspirations.

Changing a Mathematics stream after Year 11 is not advised as the prerequisite knowledge needed for Units 3 & 4 is accumulated throughout Years 10 and 11.

Common Pathways

*Note: Students who are looking to progress to Specialist Mathematics must note that Mathematical Methods is a co-requisite and must demonstrate a strong understanding in the areas of linear and quadratic algebra, as covered in Year 10 Mathematical Methods.

Accelerated Pathway

Students capable of Year 10 Mathematical Methods have the option of also completing Units 1 & 2 General Mathematics. The pathway is shown below:

*Note: Students who are looking to accelerate their Mathematical study in either Years 10 or 11 must have a written acceptance from the Head of Mathematics and an endorsement letter from their Mathematics teacher.

Foundation Mathematics

Units 1 & 2

These units provide students with basic mathematical skills and have an emphasis on computation, with and without technology as students become proficient in mental arithmetic approaches to estimation. A strong emphasis is placed on the use of mathematics in practical contexts encountered in everyday life in the community, at work and at study.

Areas of Study:

• Algebra, number and structure
• Data analysis, probability and statistics
• Financial and consumer mathematics
• Space and measurement

Assessments:

• Mathematical investigations
• Summary notes
• Tests
• End of Semester Examinations

Units 3 & 4

Foundation Mathematics enables students to develop mathematical knowledge and problem-solving skills to prepare them for a range of workplace, personal, further learning, and community settings.

Areas of Study:

• Algebra, number and structure
• Data analysis, probability and statistics
• Financial and consumer mathematics
• Space and measurement

Assessments:

• School-assessed Coursework contributing 60% toward the final assessment
• Three mathematical investigations

Units 1 – 4 Outcomes

For each unit students are required to demonstrate achievement in three outcomes:

• Demonstrating the key knowledge and skills in all the areas of study;
• Using known mathematical procedures in a variety of non-routine contexts; and
• Using appropriate technology to produce and analyse results.

External Assessment

The level of achievement for Units 3 & 4 is assessed by an end-of-year examination that contributes 40% toward the final assessment.

General Mathematics

Units 1 & 2

General Mathematics provides for different combinations of student interests and preparation for study of VCE General Mathematics at Units 3 & 4.

These units enable students to develop mathematical knowledge and skills through the study of linear relations, financial arithmetic, graphs and networks, number patterns and recursion, and the relationship and analysis between two variables. Students are required to apply their knowledge and skills to analyse, investigate and solve problems, and to communicate mathematical ideas and to make effective use of technology as required.

Areas of Study:

• Data analysis and statistics
• Recurrence relations and financial mathematics
• Linear graphs and equations
• Matrices
• Graphs and networks

Assessments:

• Tests
• Modelling and problem-solving tasks
• Mathematical investigations
• Summary notes
• End of Semester Examinations

Units 3 & 4

General Mathematics consists of four areas of study. These units enable students to develop mathematical knowledge and skills through the study of relationship and analysis between two variables, financial arithmetic, number patterns and recursion, networks, and matrices. Students are required to apply their knowledge and skills to analyse, investigate and solve problems, and to communicate mathematical ideas and to make effective use of technology as required.

Areas of Study:

• Data analysis and statistics
• Recursion and financial modelling
• Matrices
• Networks

Assessments:

• School-assessed Coursework contributing 40% toward the final assessment.
• Application tasks
• Modelling tasks
• Problem solving tasks

Units 1 – 4 Outcomes

For each unit students are required to demonstrate achievement in three outcomes:

• Demonstrating the key knowledge and skills in all the areas of study;
• Using known mathematical procedures in a variety of non-routine contexts; and
• Using appropriate technology to produce and analyse results.

External Assessment

The level of achievement for Units 3 & 4 is assessed by two end-of-year examinations, one multiple choice exam and one short answer exam, each contributing 30% toward the final assessment.

Mathematical Methods

Units 1 & 2

Mathematical Methods provides for different combinations of student interests and preparation for study of VCE Mathematical Methods at Units 3 & 4.

These units are designed to enable students to develop mathematical knowledge and skills through the study of rational and real numbers, polynomial functions, Karnaugh maps, tree diagrams, rates of change, introduction to calculus, combinations, permutations, circular and exponential functions. Students are required to apply their knowledge and skills to analyse, investigate and solve problems, and to communicate mathematical ideas and to make effective use of technology as required.

Areas of Study:

• Functions, relations and graphs
• Algebra, number and structure
• Calculus
• Data analysis, probability, and statistics

Assessments:

• Assignments and Tests
• Modelling and problem-solving tasks
• Mathematical investigations
• Summary notes
• End of Semester Examinations

Units 3 & 4

Mathematical Methods consists of four areas of study, which develop and extend students skills in many of the areas covered in Units 1 & 2.

These units are designed to enable students to develop mathematical knowledge and skills through the study of rational and real numbers, polynomial functions, exponential functions, trigonometric functions, differentiation, anti-differentiation, integration, and statistical inference. Students are required to apply their knowledge and skills to analyse, investigate and solve problems, and to communicate mathematical ideas and to make effective use of technology as required.

Areas of Study:

• Functions, relations and graphs
• Algebra, number and structure
• Calculus
• Data analysis, probability, and statistics

Assessments:

• School-assessed Coursework contributing 40% toward the final assessment.
• Application tasks
• Modelling tasks
• Problem solving tasks

Units 1 – 4 Outcomes

For each unit students are required to demonstrate achievement in three outcomes:

• Demonstrating the key knowledge and skills in all the areas of study; and
• Using known mathematical procedures in a variety of non-routine contexts
• Using technology to produce and analyse results

External Assessment

The level of achievement for Units 3 & 4 is assessed by two end-of-year examinations, one technology free exam contributing 20% towards the final assessment, and one technology active exam contributing 40% toward the final assessment.

Specialist Mathematics

Units 1 & 2

Specialist Mathematics Units 1 & 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.

Specialist Mathematics Units 1 & 2 can only be taken in conjunction with Mathematical Methods Units 1 & 2.

Areas of Study:

• Arithmetic and Number
• Algebra and Structure
• Geometry, measurement and trigonometry
• Graphs of linear and non-linear relations
• Sequences and Series
• Discrete Mathematics
• Vectors and Proof

Assessments:

• Assignments and Tests
• Summary or review notes
• Modelling and problem-solving tasks
• End of Semester Examinations

Units 3 & 4

Specialist Mathematics consists of four areas of study, which develop and extend students skills in many of the areas covered in Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics Units 1 & 2. Therefore, it can only be undertaken by students who are also enrolled in Mathematical Methods Units 3 & 4.

These units are designed to enable students to develop mathematical knowledge and skills through the study of rational, real, and complex arithmetic, polynomial functions, exponential functions, extended trigonometric functions, differentiation, anti-differentiation, integration, and statistical inference. Students are required to apply their knowledge and skills to analyse, investigate and solve problems, and to communicate mathematical ideas and to make effective use of technology as required.

Areas of Study:

• Functions and Graphs
• Algebra
• Calculus
• Vectors
• Mechanics
• Probability and Statistics

Assessments:

School-assessed Coursework contributing 40% toward the final assessment.

• Application tasks
• Modelling tasks
• Problem solving tasks

Units 1 – 4 Outcomes

For each unit students are required to demonstrate achievement in three outcomes:

• Demonstrating the key knowledge and skills in all the areas of study;
• Using known mathematical procedures in a variety of non-routine contexts; and
• Using technology to produce and analyse results

External Assessment

The level of achievement for Units 3 & 4 is assessed by two end-of-year examinations, one contributing 20% towards the final assessment and the other contributing 40% toward the final assessment.