General Mathematics
Unit 3 & 4
Course Description
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.
The areas of study for this course are:
Unit 3
Data Analysis - investigating data distributions, investigating association between two variables, investigating and modelling linear associations, investigating and modelling time series data.
Recursion & Financial Modelling - depreciation of assets, compound interest investments and loans, reducing balance loans, annuities and perpetuities, compound interest investments with periodic additions
Unit 4
Matrices - matrices and their applications (permutations, communication, dominance matrices, matrix arithmetic, simultaneous equations), transition matrices including restocking and culling.
Networks - graphs and networks, exploring and travelling problems, trees and minimum connector problems, network flow problems, shortest path problems, matching problems, scheduling and critical path analysis
Outcomes - On completion of this unit students will be able to:
define and explain key concepts as specified in the content from the areas of study and apply a range of related mathematical routines and procedures.
apply mathematical processes in non-routine contexts, including situations with some open-ended aspects requiring investigative, modelling or problem-solving techniques or approaches, and analyse and discuss these applications of mathematics.
apply computational thinking and use numerical, graphical, symbolic and statistical functionalities of technology to develop mathematical ideas, produce results and carry out analysis in situations requiring investigative, modelling or problem-solving techniques or approaches.
Assessment Tasks
Unit 3
Data Analysis Task
Recursion and Financial Modelling Task
Unit 4
Networks and Decision Mathematics Modelling or Problem Solving Task
Matrices Modelling or Problem Solving Task
External Examinations
Examination 1 (worth 30% overall)
Examination 2 (worth 30% overall)
Textbook requirements:
Included in School Bundle
Resources/Requirements:
School laptop provided in School Bundle
A4 Exercise Book & pens
CAS calculator (TI Nspire) highly recommended (Available to rent, lease to own or purchase on the book list)
Career Pathways
What Courses/Careers this could lead to:
Accountants, Laboratory Technician, Scientists, Automotive Electrician, Multimedia developer, Statisticians, Clerk, Nurses, Stockbrokers, Exporter/Importer, Purchasing officer, Surveyors, Finance, Retail buyer, Teachers, Insurance Agent, Sales representative, Telecommunications tech, Information Technology, Psychologists, Town Planners
Note: This subject is suitable for university courses that state 'any Maths' as a prerequisite. It is usually easier to achieve the required student score in Further Maths than in Maths Methods. Some Diploma courses may require this course also.
If you enjoy or are good at this learning area, you can explore these occupations.