Mathematics

Mathematics is the study of how number, algebra, measurement, geometry and statistics interact with our world.

To some extent, all of the Mathematics courses offered in Year 11 at Magdalene Catholic College study these areas. These courses include:

Click on the image below to watch a brief video describing the difference between the aforementioned courses, or read the general overview.

General Overview of Each Course:

Mathematics in Numeracy

This is a Mathematics Course targeted towards students who want to study Mathematics but do not require an ATAR.

The content of the course is student tailored and will change depending on student interest and ability. The course is recommended for students who need Mathematics post-school in any area such as Trade, Hospitality, etc. It is also recommended that students who do not pass their Minimum Standards Numeracy test complete this course in Year 11 and/or 12 to assist with this NESA requirement.

Mathematics Standard

This is a Mathematics Course targeted towards students who want to study Mathematics and require an ATAR.

The Mathematics Standard course is a development beyond Stage 5 Mathematics and requires a sound level of understanding in Year 9 and Year 10 Mathematics. The content includes, working with Algebra, Linear Relationships, Non-Linear Relationships, Non-Right Angled Trigonometry, Bivariate Data and a the new topic of Networks. The questions presented in the Higher School Certificate Examinations are text, diagram and graph heavy which should be noted.

Mathematics Standard 1 & 2 in Year 12

In Year 12 the students will then be moved into Standard 2 or Standard 1 (student numbers permitting). The Standard 2 Course is the full Year 12 course of the Standard subject. Whereas, the Standard 1 Course is a more accessible version of the Year 12 Course. The Standard 1 Course has an optional HSC exam and will contribute to an ATAR providing the exam is sat and the student does not have more than 2 units of Category B units. Note: Mathematics Standard 1 is a Category B subject.

Mathematics Advanced

The Mathematics Advanced Course is recommended to students who classify themselves as Mathematicians and require an ATAR. Based on Year 10, this would be a student currently completing the Stage 5.3 course content at a high level. Almost all of the content covered in the Mathematics Advanced Course is new and requires a thorough understanding of complex Algebra, Surds and Trigonometry. This is also considered the Calculus course as most of the content presented has a relation to Calculus. The questions presented in the Higher School Certificate Examinations are graph heavy and are abstract with a lot of symbology, pronumerals and technical language which should be noted.

Mathematics Extension 1

The Mathematics Extension 1 Course is recommended for students with an extensive understanding of the Stage 5.3 content covered in Year 10 Mathematics and have selected the Mathematics Advanced Course as a co-requisite. The content expands beyond that covered in the Mathematics Advanced Course and requires a high level of competence when working with Algebra, Surds, Trigonometry, Logarithms and Coordinate Geometry.