General Mathematics
Units 1 & 2: General Mathematics
General Mathematics Units 1 and 2 cater for a range of student interests, provide preparation for the study of VCE General Mathematics at the Units 3 and 4 level and contain assumed knowledge and skills for these units.
The areas of study for Units 1 and 2 of General Mathematics are:
- Data analysis, probability and statistics
- Discrete mathematics
- Functions, relations and graphs
- Discrete mathematics
- Space and measurement
In undertaking these units, students are expected to be able to apply techniques, routines and processes involving rational and real arithmetic, sets, lists, tables and matrices, diagrams and geometric constructions, algorithms, algebraic manipulation, recurrence relations, equations and graphs, with and without the use of technology. They should have facility with relevant mental and by-hand approaches to 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.
The award of satisfactory completion for a unit is based on whether the student has demonstrated achievement of the set of outcomes 1, 2 and 3 listed below. All assessments at Units 1 and 2 are school-based, are a part of the regular teaching and learning program, and completed mainly in class and within a limited timeframe. The decision will be based on the teacher’s assessment of the student’s overall performance on assessment tasks designated for the unit.
On completion of this unit the student should be able to:
- Define and explain key concepts as specified in the content from the areas of study and apply a range of related mathematical routines and procedures.
- Apply mathematical processes in non-routine contexts, including situations with some open-ended aspects requiring investigative, modelling or problem-solving techniques or approaches, and analyse and discuss these applications of mathematics.
- Apply computational thinking and use numerical, graphical, symbolic and statistical functionalities of technology to develop mathematical ideas, produce results and carry out analysis in situations requiring investigative, modelling or problem-solving techniques or approaches.
Units 3 & 4: General Mathematics
General Mathematics Units is designed for students to study on its own and sometimes in conjunction with Mathematical Methods. It is a sufficient prerequisite for tertiary courses that require students to undertake a Level 3 & 4 Mathematics subject.
Unit 3 comprises:
- Data Analysis. Displaying, summarising and describing univariate and bivariate data
- Correlation and regression and time series analysis
- Recursion and financial modelling. Depreciation, compound interest, reducing balance loans, annuities and perpetuities
Unit 4 comprises :
- Matrices
- Networks and decision mathematics
On completion of this unit the student should be able to:
- Define and explain key concepts as specified in the content from the areas of study and apply a range of related mathematical routines and procedures.
- Apply mathematical processes in non-routine contexts, including situations with some open-ended aspects requiring investigative, modelling or problem-solving techniques or approaches, and analyse and discuss these applications of mathematics.
- Apply computational thinking and use numerical, graphical, symbolic and statistical functionalities of technology to develop mathematical ideas, produce results and carry out analysis in situations requiring investigative, modelling or problem-solving techniques or approaches.