Course Title: Use a range of techniques to solve mathematical problems

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2013

Course Code: MATH5341

Course Title: Use a range of techniques to solve mathematical problems

School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences

Campus: City Campus

Program: C3305 - Certificate III in Science

Course Contact: Namrita Kaul

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4713

Course Contact Email: namrita.kaul@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Patricia Newstead (Program Manager)

patricia.newstead@rmit.edu.au

+61 3 99254932

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

None.

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:

VU21058 Use a range of techniques to solve mathematical problems

Element:

1. Use ratio, proportion and percent to solve problems

Element:

2 Use trigonometry to determine lengths and angles

Element:

3 Use basic indices to solve problems

Element:

4 Use measurements to solve mensuration problems in two and three dimensions

Element:

5 Substitute into and transpose simple equations and formulae

Element:

6 Solve problems by plotting points

Element:

7 Present and evaluate statistical information

Element:

8 Identify connections between formulae and graphical representations

Element:

9 Use algebraic techniques to analyse and solve problems


Learning Outcomes



 
 


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                                                                                                             
8/7

Induction and Numeracy Assessment
Number Skills -Order of operations
                           - Directed number

Order of operations Exercise
Directed number Exercise
15/7 Calculations involving fractions Fractions Exercise 1.
 
22/7

Word problems involving fractions

Decimal places and significant figures
Calculations involving decimals

Fractions Exercise 2.

Decimal places and significant figures Exercise
Decimals Exercise

29/7

 Ratio and proportion
QUIZ 1.

Ratio and proportion Exercise 1.
Ratio and proportion Exercise 2.
5/8 Introduction to percentages
Calculations involving percentages
Introduction to algebra
Percentages Exercise
Basic Albegra Exercise 1.
12/8

Simplifying algebraic expressions
Working with indices

Basic Albegra Exercise 2.
Basic Albegra Exercise 3.
Indices Exercises

19/8

Scientific notation
Solving linear equations
QUIZ 2.

Scientific notation Exercise
Linear Equations Exercise 0.
Linear Equations Exercise 1.
 

26/8

 Revision
MID-SEMESTER TEST

 
2/9  Solving linear equations Linear Equations Exercise 2.
Linear Equations Exercise 3.
9/9 Working with formulae
 
Formulae Exercise 1.
Formulae Exercise 2.
Formulae Exercise 3.
16/9 Metric conversion
Calculating perimeter
Calculating area
 
Metric Conversion Exercise
Perimeter Exercise 1.
Perimeter Exercise 2.
Area Exercise 1.
Area Exercise 2.
23/9  MID-SEMESTER BREAK
 
 
30/9 Calculating volume
Calculations involving the Theorem of Pythagoras
QUIZ 3. 
Volume Exercise
Theorem of Pythagoras Exercise 1.
Theorem of Pythagoras Exercise 1.
 
7/10 Introduction to trigonometric ratios
Calculations involving trigonometric ratios
 
Trigonometric Ratios Exercise 1
Trigonometric Ratios Exercise 2
 
14/10 Calculations involving trigonometric ratios
Analysis of univariate data
QUIZ 4.

Trigonometric Ratios Exercise 3.
Statistics Exercise 1.
Statistics Exercise 2.

21/10 Further analysis of univariate data
STATISTICS ASSIGNMENT
Introduction to linear relations 
Working with linear relations
Linear Relations Exercise 1.
Linear Relations Exercise 2.
Linear Relations Exercise 3.
28/10  Analysis of bivariate data Statistics Exercise 3.
4/11  Revision
FINAL EXAMINATION
 
     


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


Students are required to purchase:

-  a scientific calculator for use in class and when completing assessment tasks

- lined exercise book in which to complete Exercises

- binder with plastic sleeves for storing Exercises and Worksheets

- writing materials.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment in this course may include:
Worksheets
Quizzes 
Assignments
Tests 


Assessment Tasks

4 Quizzes(best 3 results of 4 quizzes) 20%
 

Statistics Assignment 15%
 

Mid-semester Test 25%
 

Final Test 40%


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

1. Classroom lessons 17 x 4 hours = 72 hours

Tutorials 17 x 1 hour = 17 hours

Work outside class on Exercises, Worksheets etc = 6 hours

Assignment work = 5 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 procedures described on the C3305 Certificate III in Science webpage of myRMIT Studies(Blackboard) Program Information/General information for new students.

 

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