Mathematics

General Mathematics

Description

General Mathematics is a course designed for students who may need to use applications of Mathematics in future employment, study or personal life. It consists of the following areas of study: ‘Data analysis’, ‘Recursion and financial modelling’, ‘Matrices’ and ‘Networks and decision mathematics’. Digital technologies, including the CAS calculator, are used extensively to enhance students’ learning in each topic.

Areas of study

• Data analysis

• Recursion and financial modelling

• Matrices

• Networks and decision mathematics

Learning Outcomes

On completion of these units students should be able to:

• Define and explain key concepts in relation to the topics from the selected areas of study and apply a range of related mathematical routines and procedures.

• Apply mathematical processes in nonroutine context, 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.

Assessment

The award of satisfactory completion for a unit is based on the decision that the student has demonstrated achievement of the learning outcomes above. This decision will be based on student completion of work requirements as specified in the Work Requirements document, which is provided to students at the commencement of each unit.

The student’s level of achievement in Units 3 and 4 will be determined by school-assessed coursework tasks and two one and a half hour end of year examinations as follows:

• Unit 3 School-assessed coursework (24% of final grade)

• Unit 4 School-assessed coursework (16% of final grade)

• Semester Examination1 (Multiple Choice) (30% of final grade)

• Semester Examination2 (Short Answer) (30% of final grade)

All assessment is carried out with the use of a CAS calculator and a bound reference book.

Pathways

• TAFE & University

• Engineering

• Teaching

• Business and Commerce

• Computer Sciences

• Information Technology

• Health Science and Sciences