Specialist Mathematics Yr11

Unit 1 and 2 include the following areas of study: Algebra and Structure; Arithmetic and Number; Discrete Mathematics; Geometry, Measurement and Trigonometry; Graphs of Linear and Non-Linear Relations and Statistics. Each unit includes four or more topics selected from at least three different areas of study and must include two units from number systems and recursion; vectors in the plane; geometry in the plane and proof; and graphs of non-linear relations. Students should be able to apply techniques, routines and processes involving arithmetic, sets, lists and tables, diagrams and geometric constructions, algebraic manipulation, equations and graph with and without the use of technology.

For more information on the Specialist Mathematics course, visit the VCAA website.

VIC: Specialist Mathematics Yr11 Classroom Activities	Download
Getting Started Resources
Short Cuts Published on June 08, 2017 This activity is intended as a resource to help students navigate the TI-Nspire CX CAS calculator. Three pages of short cuts, tips and tricks are provided in addition to a brief series of instructions designed to show how some of these short cuts can be used. Even if you are familiar with the TI-Nspire CX series calculators and software, you are bound to find some tips and tricks that you didn't know existed.	Download2
Nspired Crossword Published on November 05, 2015 This activity is designed for students completely new to TI-nspire. No mathematical knowledge is required to complete this task. Students complete a crossword puzzle where the clues relate to application menus and the answers are the menu items. The activity helps students navigate TI-Nspire and become familiar with the menus.	Download34
Arithmetic and Number
Nspired Crossword Published on November 05, 2015 This activity is designed for students completely new to TI-nspire. No mathematical knowledge is required to complete this task. Students complete a crossword puzzle where the clues relate to application menus and the answers are the menu items. The activity helps students navigate TI-Nspire and become familiar with the menus.	Download34
Pebbling the Chessboard Published on May 18, 2016 It’s amazing how often sequences and series pop up in problem solving. In this deceptively challenging problem three discs are placed on a chessboard in a bounded region. The task is to move the pieces out of this region with the only complication being that pieces double when moved. After you’ve struggled to find the solution a geometric sequence comes to the rescue!	Download7
Squares and Cubes Published on May 05, 2015 How much mathematics can be generated from a single image? This activity looks at two different number sequences that can be identified directly from the diagram. The challenge is to then prove that this relationship holds true for all positive integers.	Download20
Pythagoras is not Real Published on July 18, 2017 Students manipulate the location of z on the Argand plane and observe the location of z squared on a second Argand plane. The coefficients of z squared form the two shorter sides of a right angled Pythagorean triangle. Students explore this relationship then prove it. The extension activity includes the opportunity to explore the polar form of a complex number in an informal manner.	Download
Geometry, Measurement and Trigonometry
Vectors 1 Published on July 19, 2017 An introduction to vectors visually, conceptually and numerically. Students manipulate vectors to show addition (head to tail) and the parallelogram rule. Students use a column matrix to represent a vector and explore scalar multiples and the magnitude of a vector.	Download
Vectors In Component Form Published on November 16, 2015 Students experiment with an interactive 2 dimensional vector and observe the corresponding changes to its representation in i and j component form.	Download10
Graphs of Linear and non Linear Relationships
Parametric Equations Published on November 05, 2015 What is the difference between a parameter and a variable? This activity introduces the notion of a parameter through two pairs of parametric equations that result in the same Cartesian equation, highlighting the additional information provided by the parameter. Variable isolation and animation support visual and conceptual development models for understanding the mathematics concepts in this activity.	Download9
Advanced String Graphs Part 1 Published on July 21, 2017 The famous designs of Santiago Calatrava represent beautiful examples of the synergy between mathematics, engineering and architecture. In this activity students model the cables of the “Bridge of Stings” in Jerusalem using a family of straight lines. The envelope formed by these straight lines can also be modelled by a single equation defining the curve. Students determine equations to straight lines, solve simultaneous equations, generate parametric equations and finally a single equation to model the resulting curve.	Download13
Advanced String Graphs Part 2 Published on August 15, 2017 This is an extension of String Graphs Part 1 but can be done independently. In this activity students stitch points on the lines y = x and y = -x. The family of straight lines form an envelope which can be modelled by finding successive points of intersection. The points of intersection can be modelled by a parabola. A range of extension questions are provided including generalising the parabola for stitching points on the lines y = mx and y = -mx.	Download
Advanced String Graphs Part 3 Published on August 17, 2017 This activity brings together a range of ideas from Activity 1 and 2 using a combination of rotation and dilation matrices and a very powerful visual and algebraic approach. The activity gives function to the use of matrices and highlights how relatively complicated expressions can be determined very easily. Students connect many aspects of the Specialist Mathematics course in a single activity that is sure to engage students.	Download28