Foundation Mathematics provides for the continuing mathematical development of students entering VCE and who do not necessarily intend to undertake Unit 3 and 4 studies in VCE Mathematics in the following year. This course is designed to complement General Mathematics and Mathematical Methods. Students completing this course would need to undertake additional targeted mathematical study in order to attempt Further Mathematics Units 3 and 4. In Foundation Mathematics there is a strong emphasis on the use of mathematics in practical contexts encountered in everyday life in the community, at work and at study. The areas of study for Units 1 and 2 of Foundation Mathematics are ‘Space, shape and design’, ‘Patterns and number’, ‘Data’ and ‘Measurement’. All four areas of study are to be completed over the two units. The content should be developed using contexts present in students’ other studies, work and personal or other familiar situations. 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, diagrams and geometric constructions, 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.

OUTCOMES

For each unit the student is required to demonstrate achievement of all three outcomes. As a set these outcomes encompass all of the selected areas of study for each unit. For each of Unit 1 and Unit 2, the outcomes apply to the content from the areas of study selected for that unit.

Space, shape and design

interpret and describe objects using accurate and appropriate geometric language and conventions
create and modify diagrams, plans, maps and designs using drawing equipment and digital drawing packages
develop three-dimensional models for objects and produce two-dimensional representations
interpret diagrams, plans, maps and models and evaluate their accuracy
interpret information on maps to plan and describe travel routes, including use of navigational software and tools
apply similarity, symmetry and Pythagoras’ theorem to problems in art, design and measurement

Patterns and number

form estimates and carry out relevant calculations using mental and by-hand methods
use technology effectively for accurate, reliable and efficient calculation
solve practical problems which require the use and application of a range of numerical computations involving integers, decimals, fractions, ratios, proportions, percentages, rates, powers and roots
solve practical problems using constants, variables, formulas and algebra
check for accuracy and reasonableness of results

Measurement

identify and use common metric and other relevant measurements
convert between a range of metric and other relevant units
estimate and accurately measure different quantities using appropriate tools
calculate and interpret length, area, surface area, volume, capacity and duration
solve a broad range of personal, societal or workplace measurement problems with consideration of error, required accuracy and tolerances, estimation, rounding and approximation strategies