VCE Foundation Mathematics
Foundation Mathematics Units 1 and 2 focus on providing students with the mathematical knowledge, skills, understanding and dispositions to solve problems in real contexts for a range of workplace, personal, further learning, and community settings relevant to contemporary society. They are also designed as preparation for Foundation Mathematics Units 3 and 4 and contain assumed knowledge and skills for these units.
Foundation Mathematics Units 3 and 4 focus on providing students with the mathematical knowledge, skills and understanding to solve problems in real contexts for a range of workplace, personal, further learning, community and global settings relevant to contemporary society. The areas of study for Units 3 and 4 are ‘Algebra, number and structure’, ‘Data analysis, probability and statistics’, ‘Discrete mathematics’ and ‘Space and measurement’. All four areas of study are to be completed over the two units, and content equivalent to two areas of study covered in each unit. The selected content for each unit should be developed using contexts present in students’ other studies, work and personal or other familiar situations, and in national and international contexts, events and developments.
Unit 1
In Unit 1 students consolidate mathematical foundations, further develop their knowledge and capability to plan and conduct activities independently and collaboratively, communicate their mathematical ideas, and acquire mathematical knowledge skills to make informed decisions in their lives. The areas of study for Foundation Mathematics Unit 1 are ‘Algebra, number and structure’, ‘Data analysis, probability and statistics’, ‘Discrete mathematics’, and ‘Space and measurement’. The content should be developed using contexts present in students’ other studies, work and personal or other familiar situations.
In undertaking these units, students are expected to be able to apply techniques, routines and processes involving integer, rational and real arithmetic, sets, lists and tables, contemporary data displays, diagrams, plans, geometric objects and constructions, algorithms, measures, 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, statistical and financial functionality of technology for teaching and learning mathematics, for working mathematically, and in related assessment, is to be incorporated throughout each unit as applicable.
Unit 2
The focus of Unit 2 is on extending breadth and depth in the application of mathematics to solving practical problems from contexts present in students’ other studies, work and personal or other familiar situations. The areas of study for Foundation Mathematics Unit 2 are ‘Algebra, number and structure’, ‘Data analysis, probability and statistics’, ‘Discrete mathematics’, and ‘Space and measurement’.
In undertaking these units, students are expected to be able to apply techniques, routines and processes involving integer, rational and real arithmetic, sets, lists and tables, contemporary data displays, diagrams, plans, geometric objects and constructions, algorithms, measures, 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, statistical and financial functionality of technology for teaching and learning mathematics, for working mathematically, and in related assessment, is to be incorporated throughout each unit as applicable.
Units 3 and 4
Foundation Mathematics Units 3 and 4 focus on providing students with the mathematical knowledge, skills and understanding to solve problems in real contexts for a range of workplace, personal, further learning, community and global settings relevant to contemporary society. The areas of study for Units 3 and 4 are ‘Algebra, number and structure’, ‘Data analysis, probability and statistics’, ‘Discrete mathematics’ and ‘Space and measurement’. All four areas of study are to be completed over the two units, and content equivalent to two areas of study covered in each unit. The selected content for each unit should be developed using contexts present in students’ other studies, work and personal or other familiar situations, and in national and international contexts, events and developments.
Assumed knowledge and skills for Foundation Mathematics Units 3 and 4 are contained in Foundation Mathematics Units 1 and 2, and will be drawn on, as applicable, in the development of related content from the areas of study, and key knowledge and key skills for the outcomes.
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, contemporary data displays, diagrams, plans, geometric objects and constructions, algebra, algorithms, measures, 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 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.
For further information on the subjects on offer, refer to the VCE 2024 Subject Guide in link below
Detailed information relating to each unit can be found via the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) website: