General Mathematics

Prerequisite: 

Students need to have obtained a pass in Year 10 Maths or Advanced Maths.

General Mathematics Units 1 and 2 cater for a range of student interests, provide preparation for the study of VCE General Mathematics at the Units 3 and 4 level and contain assumed knowledge and skills for these units.

UNIT 1&2:

The areas of study for Unit 1 and 2 of General Mathematics are ‘Data analysis, probability and statistics’, ‘Algebra, number and structure’, ‘Functions, relations and graphs’ and ‘Discrete mathematics’.


In undertaking these units, students are expected to be able to apply techniques, routines and processes involving rational and real arithmetic, sets, lists, tables and matrices, diagrams and geometric constructions, algorithms, algebraic manipulation, recurrence relations, 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.

UNIT 3&4:

General Mathematics Units 3 and 4 focus on real-life application of mathematics and consist of the areas of study ‘Data analysis, probability and statistics’ and ‘Discrete mathematics’.

Unit 3 comprises Data analysis and Recursion and financial modelling, and Unit 4 comprises Matrices and Networks and decision mathematics.


Assumed knowledge and skills for General Mathematics Units 3 and 4 are contained in General 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 of General Mathematics Units 3 and 4.

In undertaking these units, students are expected to be able to apply techniques, routines and processes involving rational and real arithmetic, sets, lists, tables and matrices, diagrams, networks, algorithms, algebraic manipulation, recurrence relations, equations and graphs. 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 3 and 4 Assessment breakdown


Unit 3 School-assessed Coursework:    24%

Unit 4 School-assessed Coursework:    16%

Units 3 and 4 Examination 1:                  30%

Units 3 and 4 Examination 2:                  30%