VCE Foundation Maths

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YEAR 10 STUDENTS | Mathematics is not a compulsory subject in the VCE.

Year 10 Mathematics teachers will provide a recommendation to students (and course counsellors) identifying the most appropriate VCE Mathematics subject/s each student should select prior to course selection. Assessments, inclusive of CATS, tests and exam results, are used to guide this recommendation. It is important that all students select the most appropriate Mathematics pathway based on their demonstrated abilities. Students are also advised to check the tertiary prerequisite guide to ensure that they meet the listed Mathematics prerequisite/s, where appropriate.

Why study Foundation Mathematics?

Units 1–4 provide for the continuing mathematical development of students with respect to problems encountered in practical contexts in everyday life at home, in the community, at work and in study.

This Maths provides students with numeracy skills for life.

Units 1 & 2

UNIT 1

Unit 1 focuses on developing practical mathematical skills for everyday life. Students learn how to estimate and apply numbers in real-world situations, as well as collect, present, and analyse data from community, workplace, and media contexts. They also explore Financial Mathematics through personal, local, and global financial matters, including budgeting and money management. In addition, students investigate time and the metric system in a range of social, industrial, and commercial settings.

UNIT 2

Unit 2 builds on students’ mathematical understanding through the use of formulas to represent and investigate numerical patterns. Students also summarise and interpret collected data in order to present findings to the community. In Financial Mathematics, they further develop their understanding of managing financial matters in greater detail. Additionally, students explore how concepts of shape and location are applied in a variety of social, industrial, and commercial contexts.

Assessment

Demonstration of achievement will be based on the student’s performance on a selection of the following tasks:

Topic tests
Completion of coursework exercises
A Mathematical Investigation which requires students to formulate an idea, explore the problem and communicate potential solutions.

Indicative contribution amount associated with this subject: $25

Units 3 & 4

UNITS 3 AND 4 CONTAIN FOUR (4) AREAS OF STUDY

Area of Study 1 covers the study of estimation including the use of numbers and calculations, algorithms, and the representation of mathematics as expressions and formulas to solve practical problems in the real world.
Area of Study 2 covers the collection, presentation, and analysis of gathered and provided data from the community.
Area of Study 3 explores the use and application of numbers, calculations, relationships, and formulae of financial mathematics on a personal, local, national, and global scale.
Area of Study 4 covers the use and application of the metric system with a focus on measurement, accuracy, precision, and error.

Assessment

In Unit 3 students complete two (2) Mathematical Investigations while in Unit 4 they complete one (1) Mathematical Investigation. Each Investigation must address content from two or more areas of study and is 4-6 hours in duration over a period of 1-2 weeks. In the Investigation, students will be expected to formulate an idea, explore, and then communicate their findings.

The level of achievement for Units 3 and 4 is also assessed by an end-of-year examination.

Indicative contribution amount associated with this subject: $50

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