Course Title: Use a range of techniques to solve mathematical problems
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2012
Course Code: MATH5309
Course Title: Use a range of techniques to solve mathematical problems
School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences
Campus: City Campus
Program: C3209 - Certificate III in Science
Course Contact: Judith McCann
Course Contact Phone: 99258366
Course Contact Email: judith.mccann@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Nominal Hours: 110
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
There are no pre-requisites or co-requisites for this course.
Course Description
The purpose of this unit is to provide learners with the knowledge and skills to use a range of specialist techniques and concepts to solve mathematical problems
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VPAU073 Use a range of techniques to solve mathematical problems |
Element: |
1. Use ratio, proportion and percent to solve problems |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 |
Element: |
2. Use trigonometry to determine lengths and angles |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 |
Element: |
3. Use basic indices to solve problems |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 |
Element: |
4. Use measurements to solve mensuration problems in two and three dimensions |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 |
Element: |
5. Substitute into and transpose simple equations and formulae |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1 |
Element: |
6. Solve problems by plotting points |
Performance Criteria: |
6.1 |
Element: |
7. Present and evaluate statistical information |
Performance Criteria: |
7.1 |
Element: |
8. Identify connections between formulae and graphical representations |
Performance Criteria: |
8.1 |
Element: |
9. Use algebraic techniques to analyse and solve problems |
Performance Criteria: |
9.1 |
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this course, the student must be able to:
• apply a wide range of strategies and techniques to solve mathematical problems including:
− using ratio, proportion and percent
− using trigonometry to determine lengths and angles
− using basic indices
− using measurements to solve mensuration problems in two and three dimensions
− substituting into and transposing simple equations and formulae
− solving problems by plotting points
− presenting and evaluating statistical information
− identifying connections between formulae and graphical representations
− using algebraic techniques to analyse and solve problems
• demonstrate estimating skills to check calculations and reasonableness of outcomes
• use mathematical symbolism, charts, diagrams and graphs as appropriate to convey mathematical thinking and processing.
• use calculators, computers for word processing or spreadsheets as appropriate
Details of Learning Activities
Students are expected to participate actively in all learning activities that include
- discussion of mathematical concepts relevant to each topic
- discussion of the mathematical routines and procedures for solving problems related to each topic
- working independently or in groups in solving problems on exercise and work sheets
- working in groups to solve more challenging problems requiring interpretation and evaluation of results
Teaching Schedule
Week number | Week beginning | Topics |
1 | 25/6 | Induction, Numeracy test, |
2 | 2/7 | No classes |
3 | 9/7 | Revision of number skills: Fractions & decimals |
4 | 16/7 | Ratio and proportion |
5 | 23/7 | Percentage cont. |
6 | 30/7 | Indices cont. |
7 | 6/8 | Metric conversions |
8 | 13/8 | Perimeter calculations |
9. |
20/8 |
Volume calculations |
10. | 27/8 | Revision Mid-semester Test |
Week number | Week beginning | Topics |
11.
|
3/9 | Theorem of Pythagoras |
12. |
10/9 | Trigonometric ratios cont. |
13. |
17/9 | Simplifying algebraic expressions Solving linear equations TEST 4. |
14. |
24/9 | Mid-semester break |
15. |
1/10 | Solving word problems involving linear equations |
16. |
8/10 |
|
17. |
15/10 | Linear relations |
18. |
22/10 |
|
19. |
29/10 |
Due date for submission of Statistics Assignment: Thursday November 8th |
20. |
5/11 |
Revision |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Any Year 10 or Year 11 Mathematics textbook. |
|
MATHEMATICS for Biology/Pathology Technicians by Carly Marshall and Sue van Megen |
0 7035 8505 0 |
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Assessment in this course will include:
Worksheets (ungraded)
Exercises (ungraded)
Quizzes (ungraded)
Tests (graded)
Assignment (graded)
MId-semester Test (graded)
Final Examination (graded)
Assessment Tasks
- 5 Class Tests (best 4 results of 5 tests) 20%
- Statistics assignment 15%
- Mid-semester Test 25%
- Final Examination 40%
Assessment Matrix
Test 1. | Test 2. | Test 3. | Mid-semester Test | Test 4. | Test 5. | Statistics Assignment | Final Examination | ||
Element 1 Use ratio, proportion and percent to solve problems. |
1.1 Determine a ratio from information in a practical problem and express it in simplestform 1.2 Divide a quantity into a given ratio 1.3 Convert between fractions, decimals and percent forms 1.4 Calculate a percentage increase or decrease of a quantity |
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Element 2. Use trigonometry to determine lengths and angles. |
2.1 Use Pythagoras’ Theorem to determine an unknown side of a right angled triangle 2.2 Use Pythagoras’ Theorem and trigonometric ratios to find unknown side lengths and angles in right-angled triangles |
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Element 3. Use basic indices to solve problems. |
3.1 Evaluate simple index form expressions 3.2 Simplify simple exponential expressions using the first two index laws 3.3 Convert between decimal numbers and numbers expressed in Standard Notation 3.4 Perform calculations with numbers expressed in Standard Notation, using a calculator |
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Element 4. Use measurements to solve mensuration problems in two and three dimensions |
4.1 Determine lengths and perimeters of rectangles, triangles, circles and simple combined shapes using appropriate and correct units 4.2 Determine areas of rectangles, triangles, circles and simple combined shapes using appropriate and correct units 4.3 Determine volumes of prisms and pyramids with rectangular, triangular and circular cross-sections and with simple combined shapes as cross sections using appropriate and correct units |
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Element 5. Substitute into and transpose simple equations and formulae |
5.1 Substitute given values into simple equations and formulae 5.2 Write equations to solve simple problems 5.3 Transpose simple formulae 5.4 Solve simple linear equations |
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Element 6. Solve problems by plotting points |
6.1 Plot given points and points determined from the general formula y = mx on the Cartesian plane 6.2 Determine the gradient of a straight line 6.3 Determine the equation of a straight line, where the equation has the general form y = mx, y = a and x = b 6.4 Use interpolation and extrapolation to make predictions from the line of best fit, noting limitations |
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Element 7. Present and evaluate statistical information |
7.1 Collect, organise and graphically represent statistical data 7.2 Interpret, analyse and describe statistical information |
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Element 8. Identify connections between formulae and graphical representations |
8.1 Use graphical techniques to draw linear and simple non-linear graphs 8.2 Develop equations for given linear graphs, including lines of best fit |
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Element 9. Use algebraic techniques to analyse and solve problems |
9.1 Develop formulae to describe relationships between variables and substitute into formulae to find particular values 9.2 Use a range of techniques to solve a range of algebraic problems and perform algebraic manipulations |
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Other Information
1. Classroom lessons 18 x 4 hours = 72 hours
Tutorials 18 x 0.5 hour = 9 hours
Work outside class on Exercises 9 hours
Assignment work 10 hours
Revision and preparation for assessment tasks 10 hours
TOTAL 110 hours
2. Students who are absent on the day of an assessment task, whose performance in an assessment task has been severely affected by some unforeseen circumstance or who are unable to submit an assignment by the due date, should refer to the assessment prcedures described on the C3209 Certificate III in Science webpage of myRMIT Studies(Blackboard) Program Information/General information for new students.
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