YEAR 10 | MATHEMATICS OPTIONS

General Mathematics (2 units)

This subject is designed to consolidate and build on learning from Year 9 studies, in the areas of applied and practical Mathematics.

It will prepare students to follow a pathway towards VCE General Mathematics or VCE Foundation Mathematics. Topics are drawn from the areas of Statistics (displaying, describing and analysing data), Measurement (trigonometry and 3D shapes), Algebra (problem solving and financial maths), and Probability (describing and interpreting results of probability experiments).

As well as preparation for VCE Mathematics, the numeracy and problem solving skills that are developed in General Mathematics benefit the learning in other VCE subjects including, but not limited to, Physical Education, Health and Human Development, Accounting, Computing, Geography and the Sciences. The practical nature of many of the topics covered in General Maths also renders them useful in everyday life and a wide variety of occupations.

General Mathematics - Essentials (2 units)

This course is identical to General Mathematics in the units of work that are completed and the assessments that are undertaken. The aims of this strand of General Mathematics are to build basic skills and confidence in the learning of Mathematics amongst students who have experienced some difficulties in these areas in previous studies.

The learning in General Mathematics Essentials will be scaffolded to have a stronger focus on supporting the development of the essential skills and knowledge that students encountered in Years 7-9 Mathematics. Additionally, there will be an explicit focus on routines and organisational strategies that are necessary to support students in their learning.

Core Skills Mathematics (2 units)

Core Skills Mathematics suits a learner who wants to pursue a vocational pathway and would benefit from an applied learning approach to their studies. In this course there is a strong emphasis on the use of mathematics in practical contexts and everyday life in the community, work and study.

Students will develop basic mathematical skills that are then applied to real-life projects such as construction, cooking, designing, art, running a small business and data analysis of sporting teams. Students will be supported to make personal choices about the focus of their projects based on their interests. The course is designed to develop students’ confidence in mathematical calculations, their interpretation and application.

This course will prepare students to follow a pathway towards future vocational studies, such as the Vocational Major, which may include the study of VCE Foundation Mathematics.

It is important to note that this is designed as a bridging course into future pathways. Students undertaking this subject will be less prepared for the expectations and tasks typical of VCE Mathematics.

Mathematical Methods (2 units)

This subject is an advanced Mathematics course, designed to further develop and extend students learning in mathematics, with a focus on theoretical concepts and their applications.

It provides an opportunity to explore mathematics in more detail and will prepare students to follow a VCE pathway towards Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics. Topics are drawn from the areas of Number (surds and indices), Algebra (linear and quadratic algebra and graphing, circular functions, logarithms and exponentials), Measurement (trigonometry and gradient functions), Probability (conditional probability, independence of events, permutations and combinations), as well as exploring deductive and algorithmic reasoning.

NOTE:

To assist in placing students in the most appropriate maths stream, you can consider using:

• The student’s current Maths teacher can make recommendations based on their knowledge of the student’s progress throughout Year 9, including their achievement in Maths assessments

• Consideration of a student’s progress against benchmarked standards (e.g. NAPLAN, Standardised Testing and OnDemand Testing).

As well as preparation for VCE Mathematics, the advanced numeracy and problem solving skills that are developed in Mathematical Methods benefit the learning in other VCE subjects including, but not limited to, Physics, Chemistry and Computing.

This subject is by application.

Please see Senior School Hub for application process.