Course Title: Use a range of techniques to solve mathematical problems
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2013
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 beginning | Topic/Assessment | Exercises |
11/2 | Induction and Numeracy Assessment |
Order of operations Exercise Directed number Exercise |
18/2 | Calculations involving fractions | Fractions Exercise 1. Fractions Exercise 2. |
25/2 | Decimal places and significant figures Calculations involving decimals |
Decimal places and significant figures Exercise Decimals Exercise |
4/3 | Ratio and proportion |
Ratio and proportion Exercise 1. Ratio and proportion Exercise 2. |
11/3 | Calculations involving percentages Introduction to algebra |
Percentages Exercise Basic Albegra Exercise 1. |
18/3 | Simplifying algebraic expressions |
Basic Albegra Exercise 2. |
25/3 | TEST 2. / Scientific notation Mid-semester break |
Scientific notation Exercise |
1/4 | Mid-semester break |
|
8/4 | MID-SEMESTER TEST Solving linear equations |
Linear Equations Exercise 1. Linear Equations Exercise 1. Linear Equations Exercise 3. |
15/4 | Working with formulae Metric conversion/calculating perimeter |
Formulae Exercise 1. Formulae Exercise 2. Formulae Exercise 3. Metric Conversion Exercise Perimeter Exercise 1. Perimeter Exercise 2. |
22/4 | Calculating area Public Holiday |
Area Exercise 1. Area Exercise 2. |
29/4 | TEST 3./ Calculating volume Calculations involving the Theorem of Pythagoras |
Volume Exercise |
6/5 | Introduction to trigonometric ratios Calculations involving trigonometric ratios |
Trigonometric Ratios Exercise 1 Trigonometric Ratios Exercise 2 |
13/5 | Calculations involving trigonometric ratios TEST 4. / Analysis of univariate data |
Trigonometric Ratios Exercise 3. Statistics Exercise 1. |
20/5 | Further analysis of univariate data STATISTICS ASSIGNMENT Introduction to linear relations |
Statistics Exercise 2. |
27/5 | Working with linear relations | Linear Relations Exercise 3. |
3/6 | Analysis of bivariate data | Statistics Exercise 3. |
10/6 |
Revision FINAL EXAMINATION |
|
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Any Year 10 or Year 11 Mathematics textbook. |
0 7035 8505 0 |
Other Resources
Students are required to purchase a scientific calculator for use in class and when completing assessment tasks.
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
4 Class Tests (best 3 results of 4 tests) 20%
Statistics Assignment 15%
Mid-semester Test 25%
Final Examination 40%
Assessment Matrix
Other Information
1. Classroom lessons 18 x 4 hours = 72 hours
Tutorials 18 x 0.5 hour = 9 hours
Work outside class on Exercises, Worksheets etc = 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.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview