Mathematics Course Descriptions

What is the appropriate Math course for you?

Important questions:

• What are your plans after graduation? ...study, work, travel?

• Do you have the required level of math for your intended program?

• What does your current math teacher recommend?

Selecting a Math course

Students need to complete a minimum of 3 mathematics courses at different grade levels to graduate from high school in Nova Scotia. Post-secondary institutions (universities, colleges, professional and private institutions) have different minimum requirements for entrance to their programs and requirements for the same program may vary in different institutions, therefore it is important to check the institution"s calendar or website for verification.

Grade 10 Mathematics Course Descriptions

Three mathematics courses are available at the grade 10 level:

• Mathematics 10: (220 hours), 2 academic credits 

• Mathematics at Work 10: (110 hours), 1 graduation credit 

• Mathematics Essentials 10: (110 hours), 1 graduation credit 

Mathematics 10

(academic credit type, 2 credits, 220-hour course) 

Mathematics 10 is an academic credit type high school mathematics course. Upon successful completion students will receive 2 academic credits; one in Mathematics 10 and another in math, science or technology.

It is recommended that students proceed to Mathematics 11 or Mathematics Extended 11 upon completion of Mathematics 10. In some cases students may choose a course other than Mathematics 11 or Extended Mathematics 11. Students should make this decision following discussions with their family and school staff. 

Students in Mathematics 10 will explore the following topics:

measurement systems, surface area and volume, right triangle trigonometry, exponents and radicals, polynomials, linear relations and functions, linear equations and graphs, solving systems of equations, and financial mathematics.

Mathematics at Work 10

(graduation credit type, 1 credit, 110-hour course) 

Mathematics at Work 10 is a graduation credit type high school mathematics course.

It is recommended that students proceed to Mathematics at Work 11 upon completion of Mathematics at Work 10. In some cases students may choose a course other than Mathematics at Work 11. 

Students should make this decision following discussions with their family and school staff.

Students in Mathematics at Work 10 will explore the following topics:

measurement systems, surface area, Pythagorean theorem, right triangle trigonometry, similar polygons, angles, perpendicular and parallel lines, unit pricing, currency exchange, income, and basic 

algebra

Mathematics Essentials 10

(graduation credit type, 1 credit, 110-hour course.) 

Mathematics Essentials 10 is an introductory, graduation credit type high school mathematics course  designed for students who do not intend to pursue post-secondary studies that require study in mathematics.

It is recommended that students proceed to Mathematics Essentials 11 upon completion of  Mathematics Essentials 10. In some cases students may choose a course other than Mathematics Essentials 11. Students should make this decision following discussions with their family and school staff.

Students in Mathematics Essentials 10 will explore the following topics:

Mental math, working and earning, deductions and expenses, paying taxes, making purchases, buying decisions, probability, measuring and estimating, transformation and design, and buying a car.