Subject Overview
General Mathematics provides for different combinations of student interests and preparation for study of VCE Mathematics at the Unit 3 and 4 level.
The areas of study for General Mathematics Unit 1 and Unit 2 are:
- Algebra and structure
- Arithmetic and number
- Discrete mathematics
- Geometry, measurement and trigonometry
- Graphs of linear and non-linear relations
- Statistics
For Units 1 and 2, to suit the range of students entering the study, content must be selected from the six areas of study using the following rules:
for each unit, content covers four or more topics in their entirety, selected from at least three different areas of study
courses intended as preparation for study at the Units 3 and 4 level should include a selection of topics from areas of study that provide a suitable background for these studies
- topics can also be selected from those available for Specialist Mathematics Units 1 and 2
- content covered from an area of study provides a clear progression in knowledge and skills from Unit 1 to Unit 2.
In undertaking these units, students are expected to be able to apply techniques, routines and processes involving rational and real arithmetic, sets, lists and tables, diagrams and geometric constructions, algebraic manipulation, equations and graphs with and without the use of technology. They should have facility with relevant mental and by-hand approaches to estimation and computation. The use of numerical, graphical, geometric, symbolic, financial and statistical functionality of technology for teaching and learning mathematics, for working mathematically, and in related assessment, is to be incorporated throughout each unit as applicable.
