Foundation Mathematics

Unit 3-4

Subject Overview

Foundation Mathematics Units 3 and 4 focus on providing students with the mathematical knowledge, skills and understanding to solve problems in real contexts for a range of workplace, personal, further learning, community and global settings relevant to contemporary society. The areas of study for Units 3 and 4 are ‘Algebra, number and structure’, ‘Data analysis, probability and statistics’, ‘Discrete mathematics’ and ‘Space and measurement’. All four areas of study are to be completed over the two units, and content equivalent to two areas of study covered in each unit. The selected content for each unit should be developed using contexts present in students’ other studies, work and personal or other familiar situations, and in national and international contexts, events and developments.

Assumed knowledge and skills for Foundation Mathematics Units 3 and 4 are contained in Foundation Mathematics Units 1 and 2, and will be drawn on, as applicable, in the development of related content from the areas of study, and key knowledge and key skills for the outcomes.

In undertaking these units, students are expected to be able to apply techniques, routines and processes involving rational and real arithmetic, sets, lists and tables, contemporary data displays, diagrams, plans, geometric objects and constructions, algebra, algorithms, measures, equations and graphs, with and without the use of technology. They should have facility with relevant mental and by-hand approaches to estimation and computation. The use of numerical, graphical, geometric, symbolic and statistical functionality of technology for teaching and learning mathematics, for working mathematically, and in related assessment, is to be incorporated throughout each unit as applicable.

Assessment

The student’s level of achievement for Units 3 and 4 will be determined by a combination of School-assessed Coursework and an External assessment. The School-assessed Coursework will contribute 60 per cent and the examination will contribute 40 per cent to the study score.

School-assessed Coursework for Unit 3 will contribute 40 per cent to the study score. Each area of study is to be covered in at least one of the three mathematical investigations across Units 3 and 4.  

School-assessed Coursework for Unit 4 will contribute 20 per cent to the study score. Each area of study is to be covered in at least one of the three mathematical investigations across Units 3 and 4.

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

The examination will contribute 40 per cent to the study score.