Year 12 Mathematics Specialist ATAR
This is an ATAR course which provides opportunities, beyond those presented in the Mathematics Methods ATAR course, to develop rigorous mathematical arguments and proofs, and to use mathematical models more extensively. The Mathematics Specialist ATAR course contains topics in functions and calculus that build on and deepen the ideas presented in the Mathematics Methods ATAR course, as well as demonstrate their application in many areas. This course also extends understanding and knowledge of statistics and introduces the topics of vectors, complex numbers and matrices. The Mathematics Specialist ATAR course is the only ATAR mathematics course that should not be taken as a stand-alone course. Access to technology to support the computational aspects of these topics is assumed.
Unit 3
Unit 3 of the Mathematics Specialist ATAR course contains three topics: complex numbers; functions and sketching graphs; and vectors in three dimensions.
The study of vectors was introduced in Unit 1 with a focus on vectors in two-dimensional space. In this unit, three-dimensional vectors are studied and vector equations and vector calculus are introduced, with the latter extending students' knowledge of calculus from the Mathematics Methods ATAR course. Cartesian and vector equations, together with equations of planes, enables students to solve geometric problems and to solve problems involving motion in three-dimensional space. The Cartesian form of complex numbers was introduced in Unit 2, and the study of complex numbers is now extended to the polar form.
The study of functions and techniques of graph sketching, begun in the Mathematics Methods ATAR course, is extended and applied in sketching graphs and solving problems involving integration.
Unit 4
Unit 4 of the Mathematics Specialist ATAR course contains three topics: integration and applications of integration; rates of change and differential equations; and statistical inference.
In Unit 4, the study of differentiation and integration of functions continues, and the calculus techniques developed in this and previous topics are applied to simple differential equations, in particular in biology and kinematics. These topics demonstrate the real-world applications of the mathematics learned throughout the Mathematics Specialist ATAR course.
In this unit, all of the students' previous experience working with probability and statistics is drawn together in the study of statistical inference for the distribution of sample means and confidence intervals for sample means.
ASSESSMENTS
Assessment will include investigations: 20% | tests: 40% | examinations: 40%.
REPORTING
A brief interim report on class work and behaviour will be issued towards the end of Term 1. The achievement for the course will be reported as a College A - E grade as well as a percentage mark for the course and an examination mark for both Semester 1 and the year. In addition, the student's approach to class work and behaviour will be reported via the usual key performance indicators.
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS
Students are expected to:
- bring the required text, calculator and stationery to each lesson
- complete regular homework from a variety of sources including the text, worksheets and MathsOnline
- be aware of assessment dates and have prepared thoroughly for each assessment
- be proactive in seeking help from the teacher when required.
