Mathematics Courses

General Courses
 for those students aiming to enter TAFE or directly into the work
force after completion of their WACE
1. Mathematics Essential - for those students that have
achieved numeracy or at least Cat 2 in the Year 10 OLNA
2. Mathematics Foundations - for those students that
have not achieved numeracy or are still at Cat 1 (or 2) in the
Year 10 OLNA
3. Mathematics Preliminary - for students with an
academic/ intellectual disability
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 Mathematics Courses

ATAR Courses
 for
those students aiming to achieve an ATAR and enrol in
university directly from school
1. Mathematics Specialist - strongly recommended to be studied
concurrently with Methods
2. Mathematics Methods – strongly recommended that students have
completed the Year 10A course of study as a precursor, contains a calculus
component and is a prerequisite for certain University pathways
3. Mathematics Applications – requires a good understanding of
the k-10 Mathematics curriculum content, provides the prerequisite
knowledge for some University pathways
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 Mathematics
Foundation
 Builds student capacity to meet the numeracy
standard for WACE, that is, attain OLNA
numeracy.
 Addresses gaps in students understanding of the
building blocks of mathematics. For example
addition, subtraction, multiplication, division,
fractions, percentages and place value etc.
 Applies these skills and understandings to
practical contexts.

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 Mathematics
Essential
 Recommended for students who are not university bound
and have achieved, or are working towards, achieving
OLNA (Numeracy)
 Students need to have been exposed to content such as
trigonometry, linear relationships and collecting,
displaying, interpreting and analysing data in Year 10.
 Heavy focus on solving problems in real world contexts
to prepare students for further training or employment.
 TAFE-entry requirements for competitive courses need
consideration
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 Mathematics
Essential
Course Content/topics
Ye ar 11 Ye ar 12
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4

Calculations in a Univariate data Area Probability and

financial context relative
Percentages Surface area frequencies
Formula’s for
practical purposes Rates and ratio Volume and Earth Geometry
capacity
Measurement Time Time zones
Geometry and
Interpreting Distance trigonometry Loans and
statistical graphs Compound
Linear graphs interest

Statistics –
bivariate data

Development and use of the mathematical thinking process and the

statistical investigation process

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 Trades: Carpentry, Plumbing,
Building, Dress Making etc..
 Decimals
 Fractions
 Ratio and percentage
 Rates
 Measurement: units, area and volume
 Estimation
 Ability to mentally calculate (most maths is done whilst on the job)
 Tables, Graphs & charts
 Basic algebra in the use of formulae

Trades: Electrical
 All of the above plus an understanding of networks is desirable
 Mathematics
Applications
 Recommended for students who have been successful in Year
10.
 This course still requires a strong commitment to demonstrate
understanding and to study.
 Heavy focus on solving problems in a real world context that
include finance, trigonometry, statistics, networks and using
sequences for situations of growth and decay.
 Prerequisite for many university courses and desirable by most.
 No calculus so bridging course may be required by universities
for many STEM related courses
 Recommended for students who are considering TAFE entry
for science or computing certificates.
[Link]
 Mathematics
Applications
Course Content/topics
Ye ar 11 Ye ar 12
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4
Consumer Univariate data Bivariate data Time series
arithmetic analysis and the analysis analysis
statistical
investigation
process

Algebra and Applications of Growth and decay Loans, investments

matrices trigonometry in sequences and annuities

Shape and Linear equations Graphs and Networks and

measurement and their graphs networks decision
mathematics

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 Mathematics
Methods
 Recommended for strong mathematics students who
have excellent algebra skills.
 It is desirable that students have completed the
appropriate topics from 10A
 Includes an introduction to calculus and statistical
inference, including applications to the real world.
 Universities list Methods as a prerequisite for
engineering, mathematics and some science courses.
 Attracts a 10% bonus on the scaled score used in the
ATAR calculation
[Link]
 Mathematics
Methods
Course Content/topics
Ye ar 11 Ye ar 12
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4

Functions and Exponential Further The logarithmic

graphs functions differentiation and function
applications

Trigonometric Arithmetic and Continuous random

functions geometric Integrals variables and the
sequences and normal distribution
series

Counting and Introduction to Discrete random Interval estimates for

probability differential calculus variables proportions

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 Mathematics
Specialist

 Recommended for excellent mathematics’ students

who want to work beyond Mathematics Methods to
develop mathematical arguments and proofs.
 It is desirable that students have completed the
appropriate topics from 10A
 Attracts a 10% bonus on the scaled score used in the
ATAR calculation

[Link]
 Mathematics
Specialist

Course Content/topics
Year 11 Year 12
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4
Combinatorics Trigonometry Complex Integration and
numbers applications of
integration

Vectors in the Matrices Functions and Rates of change

plane sketching graphs and differential
equations

Geometry Real and Vectors in three Statistical

complex numbers dimensions inference
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Physical Sciences , Engineering and
Building (degree)
 Maths Methods (Year 12)
 Physics (Year 12)

Mathematics
 Maths Methods (Year12)
 Specialist Maths (Year12)

Biological Sciences
 Maths Methods for some courses
 Statistics
 Order of magnitude
 Transposing formulae
 Measurement: Units, conversions, area, volume and capacity
 Rates
Minimum of Applications
recommended
Business
 Statistics
 Probability
 Proportional reasoning & percentages
 Transposing formula
 Algebra, functions and graphs

Law
 Statistics
 Business maths (see above)

Psychology
 Statistics and probability
 University Bridging courses – the disadvantages
 Costs money, i.e extra HECS fees
 Less support and time to do the same content in
Methods.
 May not address preliminary knowledge that is
obtained in Year 11.
 Can limit options if considering a double major.

[Link]
 Some possible Mathematics Pathways

External Comments
P Year 11 Year 11 Year 12
exams
S1 S2 S1 & S2
Preliminary Preliminary Preliminary For students with a disability
1 No
COURSES
GENERAL

U1 U2 Units 3 & 4
Foundations Foundations Foundations A numeracy course. Students will sit the
2 No
U1 U2 Units 3 & 4 externally set task in Year 12 (15%)
Essential Essential Essential A mathematics course. Students will sit the
3 No
U1 U2 Units 3 & 4 externally set task in Year 12 (15%)
Applications Applications Applications No calculus. Minimal algebra
4 Yes
ATAR COURSES

U1 U2 Units 3 & 4
Methods Methods Methods Yes Complex algebra skills and understanding to
5
U1 U2 Units 3 & 4 allow for success with calculus
Specialist Specialist Specialist Taken concurrently with Methods
6 Yes
U1 U2 Units 3 & 4
Methods Methods Applications For students who find that they are unlikely to
8 Yes
U1 U2 Units 3 & 4 succeed in Methods Units 3 & 4
Applications Applications Essential For students who find that they are unlikely to
7 No
U1 U2 Units 3 & 4 succeed in Applications Units 3 & 4
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