Curriculum Overview
Applications of Mathematics 11 and 12

The provincial Applications of Mathematics curriculum emphasizes the practical applications of learning and the skills needed for further education and the workplace. The new curriculum places emphasis on probability and statistics, reasoning and communications, measurement and problem solving. At the same time, the curriculum investigates the creative and aesthetic aspects of mathematics by exploring the connections between mathematics, art and design The instructional approaches used to develop the required mathematical concepts emphasize concrete activities and modelling more than symbol manipulation.

Applications of Mathematics 11 and 12 each meet the Mathematics graduation requirements. In addition, Applications of Math 12 is a provincially examinable course, and students completing this course are eligible for a provincial scholarship. These courses are articulated for admission into a growing list of BC post secondary institutions.

Key Features of the Applications of Mathematics

Positive attitudes towards mathematics: Classroom practice and teaching strategies promote positive attitudes towards the use of mathematics for all students. Students practice the skills of effective use of mathematics as a natural extension of their everyday experiences. They develop an appreciation of mathematics in the real world, with an emphasis on the practical applications of mathematical knowledge and skills needed in the workplace.

Problem solving: Students use a variety of mathematical methods to solve problems. Problem solving skills also promote the development of self-confidence and the ability to read and analyze a problem; to identify the significant elements of a problem; to select an appropriate strategy to solve a problem; to work alone or in groups; to verify and judge the reasonableness of an answer; to communicate solutions.

Use of Technology: The Applications of Mathematics courses require students to become proficient in the use of technology as a problem-solving tool. New technology has expanded our ability to solve mathematical problems encountered today and has altered the methods that can be used to investigate them. The power to compute rapidly and to graph mathematical relationships instantly are one example of how technology can help students explore many mathematical concepts and relationships in greater depth.

A Focus on Communication and Understanding: Communication plays a key role in helping students to make important connections among the different representations of mathematical ideas. Classroom activities help students explore, explain, investigate, describe, and justify their decisions and promote the development of both mathematical and communication skills.

"Hands on" Mathematics: The applied approach to mathematics found in the Applications courses begins with concrete, real world problems and builds on developing the student's mathematical abilities to solve them.

Applications of Math 11: Course Content

Problem Solving: Develop skills to select appropriate problem-solving strategies. (e.g.,: guess and check, look for a pattern, make and use a drawing or model, simplify the original problem, work backwards, analyze keywords, etc.)

Number Operations: Demonstrate an understanding of a proficiency with calculations related to money management. (e.g.,: financial statement reconciliation, simple and compound interest calculations, amortization and mortgage calculations, sinking fund tables and budgets. Use of spreadsheet software in calculations.)

Patterns: Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between equations and their graphs; between data describing physical situations and the corresponding graphs; equations include linear, quadratic, power and exponential forms.

Variables and Equations: Analyze and solve practical problems involving ratios, rates proportion and variation; using graphic and algebraic methods to solve quadratic equations and systems of two linear equations.

Relations and Functions: Examine the nature of relations in terms of a function; use graphing tools to draw the graphs of functions from their equations.

Measurement: Solve problems involving composite shapes and solids, with reference to perimeter area, surface area, volume; analyze and solve problems requiring trigonometric skills, including use of sine and cosine laws, degree and radian measures.

3-D Objects and 2-D Shapes: Use vector diagrams and trigonometry to analyze and solve practical problems in two and three dimensions; demonstrate an understanding of circle properties involving chords and tangents.

Data Analysis: Demonstrate an understanding of the concept and terminology of data analysis such as range, percentiles, quartiles, standard deviation; collect display and analyze data using statistical procedures to make predictions about a population.

Chance and Uncertainty: Determine the probability of an outcome in situations involving single events and compound events, using methods such as tree diagrams and probability rules.

Applications of Math 12: Course Content

Problem Solving: Expansion of coverage in AM11

Number Operations: Reinforcement of AM11 coverage on mathematics of financial applications involving renting vs. owning, leasing vs. buying, insurance coverage; modelling in matrix notation of problems such as network and scheduling, linear programming, long term trends.

Patterns: Identify sequences and patterns as divergent, convergent, oscillating and static; construct a fractal by applying a recursive procedure to a geometric figure.

Variables and Equations: Expansion of AM11 coverage for linear programming problems.

Relations and Functions: Expansion of AM11 coverage to solving problems involving non-linear functions such as power, reciprocal, exponential, log, and polynomials.

Measurement: Expansion of AM11 coverage for periodic functions to represent naturally occurring cyclic data.

3-D Objects and 2-D Shapes: Apply concepts of geometry (for circles, polygons and polyhedra) and reasoning skills to solve problems involving spatial design and layout.

Data Analysis: Use graphical calculators to calculate least-square fit of bivariate date; interpret correlation coefficient.

Change and Uncertainty: Use properties of normal probability distribution to solve problems involving uncertainty; calculate and interpret confidence intervals.