620-081 Preliminary Mathematics A

This subject is only available to students enrolled in the extended BE or extended BSc degree. This subject is not available for science credit points.

Mathematics as a final year subject at school.

This subject forms the first part of a two-semester sequence of subjects suitable for students who have taken standard mathematics in the final year of an international secondary school. On successful completion of 620-081, students will have acquired mathematical skills at least equivalent to those gained by the completion of VCE Mathematical Methods 3/4.

Algebra topics include polynomials, linear factors, factor theorem, remainder theorem, quadratic and cubic equations, surds, binomial theorem, general transposition of formulae and partial fractions. Functions topics include trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions; graphs, domains, asymptotic behaviour and elementary coordinate geometry; composite functions and inverse functions; and solution of equations involving transcendental functions. Calculus topics include derivatives, rules for differentiation including product, quotient and chain rules, and use of derivatives in graph sketching; integration of simple functions, and areas under curves. Probability and statistics topics include permutations and combinations, and elementary probability; random variables: mean, variance; and binomial, hypergeometric and normal distributions.

You will develop mathematical knowledge and skills, and the ability to apply mathematical knowledge to analyse, investigate, model and solve problems in a variety of situations, ranging from well-defined and familiar situations to unfamiliar and open-ended situations.

Up to 24 pages of written assignments (10%), a 3-hour end-of-semester written examination (75%) and class tests totalling not more than 1.5 hours (15%).