Year 12 Mathematics
with calculus

Mathematics is the science of number, quantity, and space, either as abstract concepts (pure mathematics), or as applied to other disciplines such as physics and engineering (applied mathematics).

This course is designed for you if you are interested in pursuing Mathematics to a higher level and have a real love of, and flair for, Algebra and problem solving. The course covers a broad range of mathematical concepts but has a specific leaning towards Algebra and Calculus with the aim of preparing students for the Level 3 Calculus course. (Note: all three L3 Mathematics courses are available to students who take Mathematics with Calculus in Year 12).

If you enjoyed the challenge of solving a wide range of problems in Algebra and Tables, Equations and Graphs in the Year 11 course and look forward to continuing to improve your problem solving and abstract reasoning skills, you should consider taking this course. 

Calculus and Algebra have helped society to solve a huge range of problems – everything from how to build safer bridges to how to help people avoid invasive surgery for gallstones. However, in order to be able to work on real-life applications using mathematics you need to build a strong foundation first. That is the purpose of this course. Mathematics is challenging and abstract, but ultimately rewarding.

Potential Pathways from this Subject
Mathematics at Year 13 divides into four courses:

Calculus
Statistics
Mathematics (General)

You may do both Calculus and Statistics or Calculus and Mathematics in Year 13, but not Statistics and Mathematics due to the overlap between these two courses.

This course will cover the following topics: 

• Algebra and Graphs

• Trigonometry

• Probability

• Calculus

• Coordinate Geometry

The NCEA Level 2 Mathematics with Calculus course follows on from the Year 11 Mathematics course. There is a strong focus in the course on developing your algebraic reasoning skills.  Although only two of the topics you will study use the terms 'algebra' or 'equations' in their name, at this level of Mathematics Calculus, Coordinates and Trigonometry all use algebraic reasoning extensively. 

In this course you will work extensively on developing your algebraic skills and on applying them to solve problems in a range of contexts - shape and measure (geometry), chance (probability), finding optimal solutions (number, sequences, patterns), etc.

We recommend this course if you gain proficient or advancing on assessments in Year 11 and a strong score on the end of year exam.

Entry into the course is subject to HOD approval.

Assessment

This course offers six NCEA Level 2 achievement standards. Three standards are internally assessed and three standards are assessed externally.

The following standards may be offered and assessed:

• AS 91261 - Apply algebraic methods in solving problems [2.6] (4 credits - External)

• AS 91259 - Apply trigonometric methods in solving problems [2.4] (3 credits)

• AS 91267 - Apply probability methods in solving problems [2.12] (4 credits - External) 

• AS 91262 - Apply calculus methods in solving problems [2.7] (5 credits - External)

• AS 91256 - Apply coordinate geometry methods in solving problems [2.1] (2 credits)

• AS 91269 - Apply systems of equations in solving problems [2.14] (2 credits)

Note: A casio fx–9750GII graphics calculator is compulsory for this course.

Qualifications: Credits towards NCEA Level 2

NZQA Mathematics Subject Resources

http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/qualifications/ncea/subjects/mathematics/levels

School Policy for NCEA Assessment

You should be aware of the school procedures for NCEA assessment.  They can be found on the school website at this link. There you will find answers to frequently asked questions about how NCEA works as well as guidance about how to apply for extensions, reconsiderations or the process for withdrawing from a standard.