620-121 Mathematics 1A

Note

Students may only gain credit for one of 620-111, 620-121, 620-142 or the 1997 Handbook subjects 618-111, 618-121, 618-142. Passing 620-121 excludes subsequent credit for any of 620-141, 620-161, 620-162.

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

620-141 or both of 620-161, 620-162 (1997 Handbook: 618-141; or both of 618-161, 618-162); or special permission of the Director of First-year Studies (normally requiring a high level of achievement in VCE Specialist Mathematics 3/4, or in an equivalent secondary school program).

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject prepares students for later studies in Mathematics and Statistics, or other disciplines in which mathematical concepts of calculus and linear algebra are needed, introducing important topics not previously studied at school, and giving a fresh perspective on familiar topics.

Foundations: sets, integers, mathematical induction; real numbers; complex numbers, polar form, de Moivre's theorem, complex exponential. Calculus:functions of one real variable (including limits and continuity), derivatives; curve sketching; maxima and minima, curvature; antiderivatives and the definite integral; trigonometric functions and their inverses, logarithm, exponential function, hyperbolic functions and their inverses; systematic integration; approximate integration; applications of integration, areas, arc length, surface areas and volumes of solids of revolution.Vectors and linear equations: vectors in three-dimensional space, dot and cross products, triple products, determinants; linear dependence; equations of lines and planes, geometrical applications; bases and coordinates, dimension; row-reduction, rank, inverse, solution of linear equations, geometrical interpretation.

Assessment

Up to 24 pages of written assignments, a three-hour end-of-semester written examination and class tests totalling not more than 1.5 hours.