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

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2014

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

Jaishree Ravindran - Teacher
Email jaishree.ravindran@rmit.edu.au
Phone +61 3 9925 4932

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
Performance Criteria:	1.1 Determine a ratio from information in a practical problem and express it in simplest form 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
Element:	2 Use trigonometry to determine lengths and angles
Performance Criteria:	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
Element:	3 Use basic indices to solve problems
Performance Criteria:	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
Element:	4 Use measurements to solve mensuration problems in two and three dimensions
Performance Criteria:	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
Element:	5 Substitute into and transpose simple equations and formulae
Performance Criteria:	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
Element:	6 Solve problems by plotting points
Performance Criteria:	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
Element:	7 Present and evaluate statistical information
Performance Criteria:	7.1 Collect, organise and graphically represent statistical data 7.2 Interpret, analyse and describe statistical information
Element:	8 Identify connections between formulae and graphical representations
Performance Criteria:	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
Element:	9 Use algebraic techniques to analyse and solve problems
Performance Criteria:	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

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 #	Week beginning	Topics	Exercises
1	10 Feb	Induction Number Skills – Order of Operations Number Skills – Directed Numbers	1.1, 1.2
2	17 Feb	Fractions	2.1a, 2.1b
3	24 Feb	Decimal Places and Significant Figures Decimals	2.2, 2.3
4	3 March	Ratio and Proportion Test 1: Number Skills and Fractions	2.4
5	10 March	Percentages Indices	2.5, 3.1
6	17 March	Scientific Notation Introductory Algebra and Simplifying Algebraic Expressions	3.2, 4.1
7	24 March	Test 2: Fractions, Decimals, Percentages, Ratios, Indices and Scientific Notation Solving Linear Equations	4.2a
8	31 March	Revision Mid-Semester Exam	Worksheets
9	7 April	Solving Worded Linear Equations	4.2b
10	14 April	Transposition and Substitution	4.3
11	28 April	Statistics: Univariate Data	5.1a, 5.1b
12	5 May	Statistics: Univariate Data Statistics: Bivariate Data	5.1c, 5.2
13	12 May	Linear Relations	4.4a, 4.4b
14	19 May	Test 3: Algebra, Univariate Data, Linear Relations. Metric Conversion and Perimeter Area	6.1 6.2a
15	26 May	Volume & Pythagoras’ Theorem	6.2b, 6.3
16	2 June	Trigonometric Ratios	6.4
17	9 June	Revision & Final Exam	Worksheets

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

Course Guide and Question Booklet

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

3 Tests, 10% each = 30%

Mid-Semester Exam = 20%

Statistics Assignment  =15%

Final Exam = 35%
 

Assessment Matrix

Other Information

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

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, need to apply for Special Consideration and apply within the allowed time frame 

Extension of time for submission of assessable work- A student may apply for an extension of up to 7 days from the original due date. They must lodge the application form (available on the web http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf ) at least the day before the due date. The application is lodged with the School Admin Office on Level 6, Bdg 51. Students requiring longer extensions must apply for Special Consideration (form available on the Web). For missed assessments such as exams- you (& your doctor if you are sick) must fill out a special consideration form. This form must be lodged at the HUB or online with supporting evidence (eg medical certificate), prior to, or within, 48 hours of the scheduled time of examination.

Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension will not be corrected

Course Overview: Access Course Overview