202-252 Quantitative Skills for Land and Food

Students with a pass in Year 12 VCE Mathematics (other than those with a study score of 25-29 in Year 12 VCE Further Mathematics) need the permission of their course coordinator before enrolling in this subject.

At least 100 credit points completed at advanced diploma level

This subject will introduce and apply mathematical concepts and skills needed to solve problems in land and food resources contexts. It provides a foundation for 202-107 Mathematics for Land and Food Resources.

Topic areas include:

• geometry and trigonometry, measurement of area and volume, Pythagoras' theorem;

• number patterns, ratio and proportion, arithmetic and geometric sequences, calculations using ratios;

• data analysis: data displays and numerical summaries, estimation, straight line graphs, correlation and regression;

• probability: definitions and axioms, simple and compound events, Venn and tree diagrams, independent and mutually exclusive events, normal distributions;

• graphs and functions: graphs of simple polynomial, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions and their transformations, domains and ranges, function notation;

• algebra and equations: substitution and transposition of formulas, expansion and factorisation, linear and quadratic equations, simultaneous linear equations in two unknowns, index laws and equations;

• rates of change: constant and variable rates of change, gradient as a measure of rate, definition and notation of derivatives, derivatives of simple polynomials, average and instantaneous rates of change.

Assignments and projects throughout the subject (60%), a 2-hour final examination (40%).