Melbourne High School

Mathematics Department November 2022

Mathematical Methods 3&4

Information for 2023

Mathematical Methods provides background for further study in fields including the natural
sciences, humanities, and economics. It also provides foundational knowledge and skills for
Specialist Mathematics.

Textbook
Jacaranda Mathematical Methods VCE Units 3&4 3rd Edition (2022; Swale, Kempton, Michell, Rozen)

Areas of Study
1. Functions, relations, and graphs
2. Algebra, number, and structure
3. Calculus
4. Date analysis, Probability & Statistics

There are a few new topics that were not introduced in Mathematical Methods 1&2. These include:
• Composite functions
• Differentiation rules (chain rule, product rule, quotient rule)
• “Integration by recognition”
• Discrete and continuous random variables
• The binomial and normal distributions
• Sampling

Assessment
School-Assessed Coursework (40%)
• Unit 3: One application task (20%)
• Unit 4: Two problem-solving or modelling tasks (20%)
External Examinations (60%)
• VCAA Examination 1 (20%)
o 1 hour (plus 15 minutes reading time)
o Formula sheet provided, but no notes allowed
o No calculators allowed
• VCAA Examination 2 (40%)
o 2 hours (plus 15 minutes reading time)
o Formula sheet provided, and bound reference allowed
o VCAA approved CAS calculator and scientific calculator allowed

Technology
Any VCAA approved CAS calculator may be used in all technology-active assessments and
examinations (as well as a scientific calculator). We recommend the TI-Nspire™ CX II CAS Handheld.

Regular practice with a hand-held CAS calculator will support performance in assessment tasks. For
working on problems outside of assessment tasks, we recommend using your laptop for efficient and
effective learning of mathematics. We recommend these tools:
• For graphing: www.desmos.com/calculator
• For algebra: www.wolframalpha.com or (Wolfram Alpha Pro or Mathematica)
• If graphing and algebra are required together: TI-Nspire™ student software
Melbourne High School
Mathematics Department November 2022

Exam Preparation
The Maths Faculty will provide students with practice exam questions towards the end of term 3 or
the start of term 4. The cost of this is covered in your school fees. Students are required to sit trial
exams at school, under exam conditions.

Satisfactory Completion of the Course

In order to gain an S you are required to successfully complete the exercises listed in the Planner,
and any other tasks (determined by your teacher and the Subject Coordinator). Homework is
expected for all work not completed during class time.

Planner
A complete Planner will be published on Canvas when school commences in January.

Summer-Break Work
Task 1: Complete the Transition activity about composite functions.
Task 2: Complete the summer holiday homework. Seek help from your peers if you have trouble
completing any. You will be tested on the transition work and the summer holiday homework upon
your return to school in 2023.

These exercise questions are available on Canvas. Make sure you download the document before
you lose access to the transition course on Canvas.

Topic Exercise Problems

Linear functions 1.2 2, 5, 6, 7, 10
Solving systems of equations 1.3 1, 3, 5
Quadratic functions 1.4 1, 3, 5, 7
Cubic functions 1.5 2, 4, 6, 7
Trigonometric symmetry 2.2 1b,f, 2,c,d,3a,e,4c,f 5,6
properties
Trigonometric equations 2.3 1, 3, 5
Composite functions 3.2 2, 4, 6, 8
Logarithm laws and equations 4.2 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11