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. 

Grade 11 Mathematics Course Descriptions

The following mathematics courses are available at the grade 11 level:

• Mathematics 11: 110 hours, 1 academic credit 

• Pre-calculus 11: 110 hours, 1 advanced credit 

• Mathematics at Work 11: 110 hours, 1 graduation credit 

• Mathematics Essentials 11: 110 hours, 1 graduation credit 

Mathematics 11

(academic, 1 credit, 110-hour course) 

Mathematics 11 is an academic credit type high school mathematics course.

It is recommended that students have successfully completed Mathematics 10 prior to enrolling in this course.

Upon completion of Mathematics 11 it is recommended that students proceed to Mathematics 12 or Pre-calculus 11. In some cases students may choose a course other than Mathematics 12 or Precalculus 11. Students should make this decision following discussions with their family and school staff.

Students in Mathematics 11 will explore the following topics:

inductive and deductive reasoning, an introduction to proof, cosine law, sine law, statistics, systems of linear inequalities, and quadratic functions.

Pre-Calculus Mathematics 11

(advanced, 1 credit, 110-hour course) 

Pre-calculus 11 is an advanced credit type high school mathematics course.

It is recommended that students have successfully completed Mathematics 11 prior to enrolling in this course.

Upon completion of Pre-calculus 11 it is recommended that students proceed to Mathematics 12 or Pre-calculus 12. In some cases students may choose a course other than Mathematics 12 or Precalculus 12. Students should make this decision following discussions with their family and school staff.

Students in Pre-calculus 11 will explore the following topics:

absolute value, radical expressions and equations, rational expressions and equations, angles in standard position, analyze and solve quadratic equations, linear and quadratic equations and inequalities in two variables, arithmetic and geometric sequences, and reciprocals of linear and quadratic functions, and the unit circle.

Mathematics at Work 11

(graduation credit type, 1 credit) 

Mathematics at Work 11 is a graduation credit type high school mathematics course.

It is recommended that students have successfully completed Mathematics at Work 10 prior to enrolling in this course.

Upon completion of Mathematics at Work 11 it is recommended that students proceed to Mathematics at Work 12. In some cases students may choose a course other than Mathematics at Work 12. Students should make this decision following discussions with their family and school staff.

Students in Mathematics at Work 11 will explore the following topics:

measurement systems, surface area, volume, 2-D and 3-D geometry, scale, numerical reasoning, personal budgets, compound interest, financial institution services, data management, and formula manipulation for various contexts.

Mathematics Essentials 11

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

Mathematics Essentials 11 is a 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 have successfully completed Mathematics Essentials 10 prior to enrolling in this course.

Upon completion of Mathematics Essentials 11 It is recommended that students proceed to Mathematics Essentials 12 . In some cases students may choose a course other than Mathematics Essentials 12. Students should make this decision following discussions with their family and school staff.

Students in Mathematics Essentials 11 will explore the following topics:

mental mathematics, data management, borrowing money, renting or buying, household budgets, investing money, measurement, 2-D and 3-D design, mathematics in content areas such as science and social studies

IB Math Applications and Interpretation — no credit

Completes a Mathematics requirement
or Completes a Science/Tech/Math requirement

Math is offered AASL, AISL

AA SL - Analysis and approaches (Pure Math)

This course is intended for students who wish to pursue studies in mathematics at university or subjects that have a large mathematical content; it is for students who enjoy developing mathematical arguments, problem solving and exploring real and abstract applications, with and without technology.  

AI SL - Applications and Interpretation (Applied Math) 

This course is designed for students who enjoy describing the real world and solving practical problems using mathematics, those who are interested in harnessing the power of technology alongside exploring mathematical models and enjoy the more practical side of mathematics.

Recommended Prerequisite

Math 10/Math 10 Pre-IB

IB Mathematics Analysis and Approaches — no credit

Completes a Mathematics requirement
or Completes a Science/Tech/Math requirement

Math is offered AASL, AISL

AA SL - Analysis and Approaches (Pure Math)

This course is intended for students who wish to pursue studies in mathematics at university or subjects that have a large mathematical content; it is for students who enjoy developing mathematical arguments, problem solving and exploring real and abstract applications, with and without technology.

AI SL - Applications and Interpretation (Applied Math) 

This course is designed for students who enjoy describing the real world and solving practical problems using mathematics, those who are interested in harnessing the power of technology alongside exploring mathematical models and enjoy the more practical side of mathematics.

Recommended Prerequisite

Math 10/Math 10 Pre-IB

Grade 12 Mathematics Course Descriptions

The following mathematics courses are available at the grade 12 level:

• Mathematics 12: 110 hours, 1 academic credit 

• Pre-calculus 12: 110 hours, 1 advanced credit 

• Calculus 12: 110 hours, 1 advanced credit 

• Mathematics at Work 12: 110 hours, 1 graduation credit 

• Mathematics Essentials 12: 110 hours, 1 graduation credit 

Mathematics 12 — 1 credit

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

Mathematics 12 is an academic credit type high school mathematics course.

It is recommended that students have successfully completed Mathematics 11 or Extended Mathematics 11 prior to enrolling in this course.

Students in Mathematics 12 will explore the following topics:

borrowing money, investing money, set theory, logical reasoning, counting methods, probability, polynomial functions, exponential functions, logarithmic functions, and sinusoidal functions.

Pre-calculus 12

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

Pre-calculus 12 is an advanced credit type high school mathematics course.

It is recommended that students have successfully completed Pre-calculus 11 prior to enrolling in this course.

Upon completion of Pre-calculus 12 students may choose to enroll in Calculus 12.

Students in Pre-calculus 12 will explore the following topics:

transformations, radical functions, polynomial functions, trigonometry, exponential functions, logarithmic functions, rational functions, and function operations. 

Calculus 12

(advanced, 1 credit, 110-hour course) 

Calculus 12 is an advanced credit type high school mathematics course.

It is recommended that students have successfully completed Pre-calculus 12 prior to enrolling in this course.

Students in Calculus 12 will explore the following topics:

the concept of a limit, simple derivatives, properties of derivatives, derivatives of trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions, applications of derivatives - tangents, rates of change, motion, curve sketching, anti-derivatives, differential equations and applications of anti-derivatives

Mathematics at Work 12

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

Mathematics at Work 12 is a graduation credit type level high school mathematics course.

It is recommended that students have successfully completed Mathematics at Work 11 prior to enrolling in this course.

Students in Mathematics at Work 12 will explore the following topics:

probability, measures of central tendency, scatterplots, linear relationships, owning and operating a vehicle, properties of polygons, transformations, trigonometry.

Mathematics Essentials 12

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

Mathematics Essentials 12 is a graduation credit type level 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 have successfully completed Mathematics Essentials 11 prior to enrolling in this course.

Students in Mathematics Essentials 12 will explore the following topics:

measurement, ratio, rate, proportion, mathematics and career exploration, mathematics preparation for the workplace

IB Math Applications and Interpretation — 1½ credits

Completes a Mathematics requirement
or Completes a Science/Tech/Math requirement

Math is offered AASL, AISL

AA SL - Analysis and Approaches (Pure Math)

This course is intended for students who wish to pursue studies in mathematics at university or subjects that have a large mathematical content; it is for students who enjoy developing mathematical arguments, problem solving and exploring real and abstract applications, with and without technology.

AI SL -   Applications and Interpretation (Applied Math) 

This course is designed for students who enjoy describing the real world and solving practical problems using mathematics, those who are interested in harnessing the power of technology alongside exploring mathematical models and enjoy the more practical side of mathematics.

Recommended Prerequisite

IB Applications and Interpretation Gr 11

IB Mathematics Analysis and Approaches — 1½ credits

Completes a Mathematics requirement
or Completes a Science/Tech/Math requirement

Math is offered AASL, AISL

AA SL - Analysis and Approaches (Pure Math)

This course is intended for students who wish to pursue studies in mathematics at university or subjects that have a large mathematical content; it is for students who enjoy developing mathematical arguments, problem solving and exploring real and abstract applications, with and without technology.

AI SL -   Applications and Interpretation (Applied Math) 

This course is designed for students who enjoy describing the real world and solving practical problems using mathematics, those who are interested in harnessing the power of technology alongside exploring mathematical models and enjoy the more practical side of mathematics.

Recommended Prerequisite

IB Analysis and Approaches Gr 11