The body of knowledge centered on concepts such as quantity, structure, space, and change, and also the academic discipline that studies them. Benjamin Peirce called it "the science that draws necessary conclusions".  Other practitioners of mathematics maintain that Mathematics is the science of pattern, that mathematicians seek out patterns whether found in numbers, space, science, computers, imaginary abstractions, or elsewhere. Mathematicians explore such concepts, aiming to formulate new conjectures and establish their truth by rigorous deduction from appropriately chosen axioms and definitions.  

Through the use of abstraction and logical reasoning, Mathematics evolved from counting, calculation, measurement, and the systematic study of the shapes and motions of physical objects. Knowledge and use of basic mathematics have always been an inherent and integral part of individual and group life. Refinements of the basic ideas are visible in mathematical texts originating in ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, ancient India, ancient China, and ancient Greece. Rigorous arguments first appear in Euclid's Elements. The development continued in fitful bursts until the Renaissance period of the 16th century, when mathematical innovations interacted with new scientific discoveries, leading to an acceleration in research that continues to the present day. 

Head of Learning Area
Mr Peter Mee

 Year 7

Students in year 7 study a range of mathematical topics in their homeroom groups. The intention is to ensure that they have a solid grasp of the mathematical fundamentals required for success in year 8 and beyond. There is no streaming in year 7.

Year 8

Year 9

In Year 9, while the same topics addressed in Year 8 are covered, they are covered at different levels of difficulty.  The group is divided into four streams, accelerated, extended, general and modified. The accelerated and extended are taken by those students who have shown an aptitude for Mathematics, and who are likely to study Mathematics at Year 12 and beyond into university.  The general course covers the same topics, albeit at a reduced pace.  While many of these students will go on to study a general Mathematics course in Year 12, very few will study Mathematics at university.  The modified course is available to those students experiencing significant difficulty with the general course, and is designed to suit their particular needs.

Year 10

The first three terms of Year 10 are structured very similarly to Year 9.  The same topics are addressed, and there are the same four streams.  At the end of term 3, students sit their final Year 10 examination and are graded on the first three term’s work.  However, in term 4, based on their performance in the first three terms of Year 10, and their subject choice for Year 11, students are placed into “pre year 11 courses”.  The pre courses provide students with a taste of the content and level of difficulty they can expect in their Year 11 Mathematics studies. There is an examination at the conclusion of term 4 to ascertain the readiness of the student to tackle their selected course.

Year 11

The new mathematics courses of study (COS) have begun in 2009. These courses are:

Mathematics Specialist MAS 3AB

Viewed as a replacement to Geometry & Trigonometry, MAS 3AB is for students selecting double mathematics in upper school (ie this course in conjunction with MAT 3AB). It is aimed at those who love their mathematics and have an interest in tertiary study involving mathematics. Students will be exposed to the concepts of vectors, trigonometry (including bearings, 3D applications, trigonometric functions and identities), radians, exponentials and logarithms, functions, calculus, proof, polar coordinates, absolute values and complex numbers. This course will feed into MAS 3CD in year 12.  

Mathematics MAT 3AB

Viewed as a replacement to Introductory Calculus, MAT 3AB can be studied as a stand-alone unit or in conjunction with MAS 3AB. It is intended for students who have a strong grasp of mathematics, typically those who intend to pursue university courses requiring mathematics as a pre-requisite. In this course, students will explore the topics of algebra (functions, indices, graphing, solving equations, patterns and recursion), trigonometry (non-right-angled triangle), counting techniques, probability, statistics, normal distribution, differential and integral calculus, moving averages, linear programming, project networks and proof. This course will feed into MAT 3CD in year 12. 

Mathematics MAT 2CD

MAT 2CD represents a previously unavailable pathway. It can be thought of as midway between the old Introductory Calculus and Foundations of Mathematics courses. It is ideal for students aiming for university entrance into subjects where mathematics is not necessarily the key focus. Students will study the topics of algebra (including functions, indices and sequences), finance, coordinate geometry, trigonometry (including non-right angled trigonometry), networks (shortest path, spanning trees and maximum flow), sets and venn diagrams (and their connection to probability) simulations and statistics (including bivariate data). This course will feed into MAT 3AB in year 12.  

Mathematics MAT 2AB

Seen as a slightly easier replacement to the Foundations of Mathematics course, MAT 2AB is aimed at students who have struggled with their mathematics and need to focus on the fundamentals. Typically these students will follow a TAFE or employment pathway, though some may aim for university entrance into courses with few mathematical requirements. Students will study number, algebra fundamentals such as graphing and equation solving, patterns, networks, Pythagoras, transformations, basic trigonometry and geometry, surface area and volume, probability and statistics. This course will feed into MAT 2CD in year 12. 

Mathematics MAT 1BC

Year 12

Applicable Mathematics

The development of some of the more useful mathematical techniques which complement the calculus learned in Introductory Calculus.  One major theme is solution of equations, which includes matrix methods for solving systems of linear equations, graphical methods for solving non-linear equations, and graphical linear programming.  Another major theme is statistics and probability.  Students will learn to draw conclusions from statistical data and be provided with the framework for future studies of statistical inference.   

Calculus

An extention of the theory and techniques of differential and integral calculus first studied in Introductory Calculus is combined with trigonometric and vector methods of Geometry and Trigonometry.  Complex numbers are also introduced.  The study of complex numbers unifies algebraic, trigonometric, calculus and vector concepts, and provides a satisfying conclusion to high school mathematics.   

Discrete Mathematics

This is intended for students who wish to study mathematics in their final year at school, and who may be preparing for entry to tertiary subjects, which do not have a strong mathematical content.  Topics include Problem solving and Investigations, Data Analysis, Optimisation and Growth and Decay.   

Modelling with Mathematics

This is a suitable option for students who are not strong in mathematics, but have passed at least one Stage 4 unit in Year 10, and wish to include Mathematics in their Upper School course. 

Associated
Co-curricula activities

• Have Sum Fun run by MAWA
• Australian Maths Competition
• Maths Week (normally in August)
• Year 8 House Times Tables competition

• Maths Focus Room (computer room 37 – 2^nd half of lunch every day)
• Maths Homework assistance after school on Tuesday & Thursday in library