Mathematics Extension

ALL STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE 2 UNITS OF MATHEMATICS IN YEAR 11

Course Type: Board Developed Course

Units: 1

Prerequisites: The Mathematics Extension 1 Year 11 course has been developed on the assumption that students have studied the content and achieved the outcomes of the Mathematics Years 7–10 Syllabus and, in particular, the content and outcomes of all substrands of Stage 5.1, Stage 5.2 and Stage 5.3, including the optional substrands:

  • Polynomials

  • Logarithms

  • Functions and Other Graphs

  • Circle Geometry

Exclusions: Mathematics Standard

Course description

Mathematics Extension 1 is focused on enabling students to develop a thorough understanding of and competence in further aspects of mathematics. The course provides opportunities to develop rigorous mathematical arguments and proofs, and to use mathematical models more extensively. The content of this course and its depth of treatment indicate that it is intended for students who have demonstrated a mastery of the skills of Stage 5 Mathematics and who are interested in the study of further skills and ideas in mathematics. It has general educational merit and is also useful for concurrent studies of science, industrial arts and commerce and is a recommended for further studies in mathematics as a major discipline at a tertiary level and for the study of mathematics in support of the physical and engineering sciences.

The Mathematics Extension 1 Year 11 course includes the Mathematics Advanced Year 11 course. The Mathematics Extension 1 Year 12 course includes the Mathematics Advanced Year 12 course.

The Mathematics Extension 2 Year 12 course includes the Mathematics Extension 1 Year 12 course, and therefore also the Mathematics Advanced Year 12 course.

All students studying the Mathematics Extension 1 course will sit for an HSC examination.

What students learn

The study of Mathematics Extension 1 in Stage 6:

  • enables students to develop thorough knowledge, understanding and skills in working mathematically and in communicating concisely and precisely

  • provides opportunities for students to develop rigorous mathematical arguments and proofs, and to use mathematical models extensively

  • provides opportunities for students to develop their awareness of the interconnected nature of mathematics, its beauty and its functionality

  • provides a basis for progression to further study in mathematics or related disciplines and in which mathematics has a vital role at tertiary level

  • provides an appropriate mathematical background for students whose future pathways may involve mathematics and its applications in such areas as science, engineering, finance and economics.

Year 11 Course

Topic: Functions

  • Further Work with Functions

  • Polynomials

Topic: Trigonometric Functions

  • Inverse Trigonometric Functions

  • Further Trigonometric Identities

Topic: Calculus

  • Rates of Change

Topic: Combinatorics

  • Working with Combinatorics

Year 12 Course

Topic: Proof

  • Proof by Mathematical Induction

Topic: Vectors

  • Introduction to Vectors

Topic: Trigonometric Functions

  • Trigonometric Equations

Topic: Calculus

  • Further Calculus Skills

  • Applications of Calculus

Topic: Statistical Analysis

  • The Binomial Distribution