VCE Mathematics
Creating Futures Together
FOUNDATION MATHEMATICS
Students may choose to undertake Foundation Mathematics in Year 11 as part of their Vocational Major or part of their VCE subject selections.
Units 1 & 2
Course Description:
Foundation Mathematics Units 1 and 2 focus on providing students with the mathematical knowledge, skills, understanding and dispositions to solve problems in real contexts for a range of workplace, personal, further learning, and community settings relevant to contemporary society. They are also designed as preparation for Foundation Mathematics Units 3 and 4 and contain assumed knowledge and skills for these units.
In Unit 1 students consolidate mathematical foundations, further develop their knowledge and capability to plan and conduct activities independently and collaboratively, communicate their mathematical ideas, and acquire mathematical knowledge skills to make informed decisions in their lives. The content should be developed using contexts present in students’ other studies, work and personal or other familiar situations.
The focus of Unit 2 is on extending breadth and depth in the application of mathematics to solving practical problems from contexts present in students’ other studies, work and personal or other familiar situations. The areas of study for Foundation Mathematics Unit 2 are ‘Algebra, number and structure’, ‘Data analysis, probability and statistics’, ‘Discrete mathematics’, and ‘Space and measurement’.
Assessment:
- portfolio
- assignments
- tests
- solutions to sets of worked questions
- summary notes or review notes.
- modelling tasks
- problem-solving tasks
- mathematical investigations.
Special Course Commitments:
Scientific calculator is used for this course, not a CAS calculator
View Powerpoint Presentation here:
View VCAA VCE Mathematics (ALL) Study Design here:
GENERAL MATHEMATICS
Students should have successfully completed Year 10 Maths General or Year 10 Maths Methods to undertake General Mathematics Unit 1 & 2.
Units 1, 2, 3 & 4
Course Description:
Unit 1 & 2 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 General 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: ‘Data analysis, probability and statistics’, ‘Algebra, number and structure’, ‘Functions, relations and graphs’, ‘Discrete mathematics’ and ‘Space and measurement’. Students practice 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. They should have facility with relevant mental and by-hand approaches to estimation and computation.
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)
Units 3 & 4
Satisfactory completion of General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 and/or Specialist Mathematics/Mathematical Methods Unit 1 & 2 is highly recommended.
Course Description:
Units 3 and 4 focus on real-life application of mathematics and consist of the areas of study ‘Data analysis, probability and statistics’ and ‘Discrete mathematics’.
Unit 3 comprises Data analysis and Recursion and financial modelling, and Unit 4 comprises Matrices and Networks and decision mathematics.
Assumed knowledge and skills for General Mathematics Units 3 and 4 are contained in General Mathematics Units 1 and 2, and will be drawn on, as applicable, in the development of related content from the areas of study, and key knowledge and key skills for the outcomes of General Mathematics Units 3 and 4.
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, networks, algorithms, algebraic manipulation, recurrence relations, equations and graphs. They should have facility with relevant mental and by-hand approaches to estimation and computation. The use of numerical, graphical, geometric, symbolic statistical and financial 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)
View Powerpoint Presentation here:
View VCAA VCE Mathematics (ALL) Study Design here:
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 & 2provide 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 are ‘Functions, relations and graphs’, ‘Algebra, number and structure’, ‘Calculus’ and ‘Data analysis, 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 extends 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, relations and graphs’, ‘Algebra, number and structure’, ‘Calculus’ and ‘Data analysis, 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)
View Powerpoint Presentation here:
View VCAA VCE Mathematics (ALL) Study Design here: