VCE | FOUNDATION MATHEMATICS

Foundation Mathematics Units 1–4 provide for the continuing mathematical development of students with respect to problems encountered in practical contexts in everyday life at home, in the community, at work and in study. It enables students to develop mathematical concepts, knowledge and skills. They apply mathematics to analyse, investigate and model a variety of contexts and solve practical and theoretical problems in

YEAR 11

FOUNDATION MATHEMATICS (Units 1 & 2)

This subject has a focus on providing students with the mathematical knowledge, skills, and understanding to solve problems in real contexts for a range of workplace, personal, further learning, and community settings relevant to contemporary society. It is also designed as preparation for Foundation Mathematics Units 3 and 4 and contains assumed knowledge and skills for these units.

Areas of Study

• Number (working with basic calculations involving integers, fractions, decimals, percentages and ratios)

• Statistics (collecting data and representing it in tables and graphs, then interpreting data to summarise and draw conclusions)

• Financial Maths (borrowing, banking, bills, tax, managing money, making informed financial choices)

• Measurement (metric measurements, reading digital and analogue scales, timetables and schedules, maps and plans, including travel itineraries)

• Algebra (formulas and expressions to represent general patterns) situtions that range from well-defined and familiar to openended and unfamiliar.

Students are given the opportunity to explore these concepts within contexts that match their interests and possible career pathways. Techniques and processes are carried out both with and without the use of technology, and students develop skills in mental estimation and computation that may be of use in their everyday lives, workplaces and further studies.

The Maths pathways in VCE are designed to provide access to worthwhile and challenging mathematical learning in a way which takes into account the interests, needs, dispositions and aspirations of a wide range of students.

YEAR 12

FOUNDATION MATHEMATICS (Units 3 & 4)

This subject continues the focus on the mathematical knowledge, skills and understanding to solve problems in contexts that may be present in students’ other studies, work and personal or other familiar situations, and in national and international contexts, events and developments.

Assumed knowledge and skills for Foundation Mathematics Units 3 and 4 are contained in Foundation Mathematics Units 1 and 2 or General Mathematics Units 1 and 2, and will be drawn on in the following areas of study.

Areas of Study

• Number and algebra (ratio and proportion, variation, equations and formulas, rounding, percentage errors and estimation)

• Statistics (collecting data, spreadsheets, graphs, change over time and making predictions)

• Financial Maths (managing money in personal banking, taxation, GST and BAS, insurance, analysing financial risks)

• Measurement (metric and non-metric measurements, geometric shapes, symmetry and similarity in design, accuracy and precision in measurements)

Mathematical techniques, routines and processes are undertaken within the context of a range of workplace, personal, community and global settings relevant to the individual student’s interests and contemporary society. Investigations form the basis of School Assessed Coursework, and calculations involve the use of technology, alongside mental and by-hand approaches to estimation and computation.