Curriculum > Core Curriculum > Years 11 and 12 > Mathematics


Mathematics Information
 
Pre-Vocational Mathematics
 
 
Content: A course of study is based on five topics that are grouped into three categories according to the purposes and functions of using mathematics in various contexts. 
 
These categories are:
  • Interpreting society:  this relates to interpreting and reflecting on numerical and graphical information of relevance to self, work or the community
  • Personal organisation:  this relates to the numeracy requirements for personal matters involving money, time and travel
  • Practical purposes:  this relates to the physical world in terms of designing, making and measuring
Elective units will be offered as appropriate. Assessment is timed to suit the rate of progress of the student.
 
 
Mathematics A
 
 
Content
  • Financial Mathematics Strand
  • Earnings, taxation, budgeting, spending, interest, inflation, appreciation, depreciation, present values, consumer credit, investment
  • Applied Geometry Strand
  • Trigonometrical ratios, areas, volumes, latitude, longitude, time measurement, scale drawings, plans, geometry of bracing, checking squareness, plumb and levels, estimation of quantities and costs in construction, bearings, perimeters, areas, site plans, position fixing, land gradient, map interpretation
  • Statistics and Probability Strand
  • Interpretation of data graphs, box and whisker plots, relative frequency, measures of central tendency, dispersion, summary statistics, regression, probability, tree diagrams, probability distributions, random sampling and bias, simulation
 
Assessment:Assessment instruments will include written tests, reports (projects, investigations, assignments, etc.) and practical tasks using measuring instruments (such as basic surveying). The Exit Level of Achievement will be based on the results for semesters 3 and 4, for those students continuing with this subject beyond Year 11.
 
Career Pathways: Mathematics A provides students with suitable grounding in the areas of mathematics required by many tertiary courses and vocations as well as for the practicalities of everyday life.
Costs: Covered by Resource Hire Scheme.
 
Mathematics B
 
Content
  • Functions and their applications (polynomial, trigonometric, periodic, exponential and logarithmic)
  • Introduction to Calculus and its application (instantaneous and average rates of change, differentiation, integration and optimisation)
  • Financial Mathematics (simple and compound interest, effective and nominal interest rates, arithmetic and geometric progressions, annuities, budgeting)
  • Applied Statistical Analysis (stem-and-leaf and box-and-whisker plots, probability, random sampling, discrete and continuous probability distributions, inference)
  • Linear Programming
Assessment: Assessment instruments will include written tests and reports (projects, investigations, assignments, etc.). The Exit Level of Achievement will be based on the results for semesters 3 and 4, for those students continuing with this subject beyond Year 11.
 
Career Pathways: Mathematics B provides students with the mathematical background required for many maths-based tertiary courses. It is recommended for a number of tertiary courses including Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physiotherapy, Accounting, Business Studies, Economics, Architecture, Engineering, Information Technology, etc.
 
Costs: Covered by Resource Hire Scheme.  Students are required to purchase their own graphics calculators.  Students will be advised early in Term 1 of recommended models.
 
Mathematics C
 
 
Content
The Core Topics
  • Introduction to Groups
  • Real and Complex Numbers
  • Matrices and their applications
  • Vectors and their applications
  • Further Calculus
  • Structures and Patterns
The Extension Topics
  • Dynamics
  • Plane Geometry
Assessment: Assessment instruments will include written tests and reports (projects, investigations, assignments, etc.). The Exit Level of Achievement will be based on the results for semesters 3 and 4, for those students continuing with this subject beyond Year 11.
 
Career Pathways: Mathematics C is strongly recommended for a variety of math-based courses including Engineering, Applied Science, Science (Physics, Chemistry), Surveying, Business and Information Technology. It also has applications in Human Movements, Physiotherapy, Life and Medical Sciences and Psychology.
 
Costs: Covered by Resource Hire Scheme.  Students are required to purchase their own graphics calculators.  Students will be advised early in Term 1 of recommended models.
 
Contact:
Phone:  (07) 3327 8328
 

 
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