What are all the concepts I need to have mastered before starting with VCE Maths

[Tradie123]

As I've said on my other posts, I will be studying at the University of Melbourne next year as a mature aged student. I was told that I need to at least know the content in VCE Maths Methods (CAS) units 3/4. The problem is that the most advanced mathematics I can do at the moment is addition, subtraction, fractions and decimals - and even that takes a while! I will be going through VCE Further Maths and VCE Maths Methods. Before I even touch a VCE Further Maths textbook, what are all the concepts (including addition, subtraction, division, multiplication!) I need to have mastered? I would also appreciate any textbook recommendations so I can review all of those concepts.

[notveryasian]

I think you should first look at the basics of algebra. All concepts in Maths Methods come from a high school level of functions/variables, all stemming from algebra. Also, I don't think going through the content of Further Maths would help you too much, the skills you learn in Maths Methods are all you need to do well at university level.

[Tradie123]

I think you should first look at the basics of algebra. All concepts in Maths Methods come from a high school level of functions/variables, all stemming from algebra. Also, I don't think going through the content of Further Maths would help you too much, the skills you learn in Maths Methods are all you need to do well at university level.

Do you know a textbook that goes through the content in years 7 - 10 in detail?

[keltingmeith]

Going through Further would be absolutely useless.

Instead, I reckon you should go to Khan Academy. Using Sal's videos, figure out what level you're at - once you've done that, the relevant series you want to go through are:

• Algebra I & II
• Trigonometry
• Differential Calculus
• The first set of videos on Integral Calculus

Note that the later topics in Algebra II and any other section from Integral Calculus are completely irrelevant to methods - but you are free too look into them more if you wish. On top of that, while you may find Basic Algebra useful, Precalculus and Geometry (despite their useful sounding names) are pretty irrelevant (although you will find Geometry useful if you do practice questions from a mathematics textbook.)

A lot of the pre-high school sections on Khan Academy's have little quizzes to see how well you've understood the content (I think some of the high school sections, too?), and the bonus is it's all free!

[Tradie123]

Going through Further would be absolutely useless.

Instead, I reckon you should go to Khan Academy. Using Sal's videos, figure out what level you're at - once you've done that, the relevant series you want to go through are:

• Algebra I & II
• Trigonometry
• Differential Calculus
• The first set of videos on Integral Calculus

Note that the later topics in Algebra II and any other section from Integral Calculus are completely irrelevant to methods - but you are free too look into them more if you wish. On top of that, while you may find Basic Algebra useful, Precalculus and Geometry (despite their useful sounding names) are pretty irrelevant (although you will find Geometry useful if you do practice questions from a mathematics textbook.)

A lot of the pre-high school sections on Khan Academy's have little quizzes to see how well you've understood the content (I think some of the high school sections, too?), and the bonus is it's all free!

Thank you EulerFan101! I'll have a look at Khan Academy! However I assume VCE Maths is a continuation from year 7 - 10 maths, right?

Could you tell me all the maths concepts that were taught from years 7 - 10?

[keltingmeith]

Thank you EulerFan101! I'll have a look at Khan Academy! However I assume VCE Maths is a continuation from year 7 - 10 maths, right?

Could you tell me all the maths concepts that were taught from years 7 - 10?

It honestly isn't - the Foundations section on the Khan Academy should be more than enough, anything else from pre-VCE you need will be taught through the sections I outlined to you earlier.

[Tradie123]

It honestly isn't - the Foundations section on the Khan Academy should be more than enough, anything else from pre-VCE you need will be taught through the sections I outlined to you earlier.

Thank you for helping!

[cosine]

Look mate, I wont lie to you or anyone else but I used to be so bad at maths in Year 10 that I even failed my end of year exam for maths! So obviously it was hard for me to get into Methods and Specialist the following year but some how I managed to convince my head of Maths to allow me to do so. Anyways, the first couple of weeks into Methods and Specialist I was advised to 'drop out' because I wasn't mentally capable of the intense workload of the two subjects.

But I believed, I believed in myself. I kept telling myself that If one person can obtain straight A's in maths, anyone can, i can, because we are all the same, all humans! It all comes down to how bad you want something, and how bad you are willing to work to reach out to it. I spent hours everyday perfecting my basic math skills, (addition of fractions, learning exact values, practicing my weaknesses) and overtime, as they say "regular practice makes perfect". Never let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do, because at the end of the day the only person who knows how capable you are is yourself!

But to the point now, I advise you to master your basic mathematical concepts, such as understanding why certain things happen. Also learn how to add, subtract and multiply fractions as this would be of great help as it saves time when doing it by hand compared to a calculator. But ultimately, even if you have no confidence or no basic knowledge of maths, you can still DEMOLISH the subject, as I did averaging 98% in specialist and 97% in Methods. I would say the only 'preparation' you would need is a powerful will to succeed!!

Good luck

[brenden]

Thank you EulerFan101! I'll have a look at Khan Academy! However I assume VCE Maths is a continuation from year 7 - 10 maths, right?

Could you tell me all the maths concepts that were taught from years 7 - 10?

Pretty logical assumption for you to make, but really, as Euler mentioned, they aren't particularly relevant. For example, in Year 8 one thing you studied is "measurement". That is, can you convert mm to cm? cm to m? Do you know how to use a ruler correctly? Maybe in Year 7, Shapes! Do you know what a parallelogram is?! There were lots of basic things like this that are obviously unnecessary, then there was basic introductions to algebra, like...

2x = 6. What is x?

And then the next year there would be a small advance made on that.

2x + 2 = 6. What is x?

Basically, the Khan academy suggestion will start you off on algebra like this if you need to brush up on it, and it will take you ten minutes. Essentially, what I'm saying is, don't even worry about "Year 7-10" - just jump into learning concepts. You'll do your learning a better service than a curriculum written for public high-schools ever could. Good luck!

[Tradie123]

Also, which subjects are you planning on taking? If it's Calculus 1 and/or 2, you'll be in for a pretty tough time. I got a solid score in Methods in VCE (mid 30s IIRC) but struggled to get a 60 in Calc 1. It's still my worst result in any subject at uni, but, that said, I did it in my very first semester before I really had the solid study habits that I do now.

In general, MAST subjects are known for being pretty hard to do well in, mainly because the exams are so long and heavily weighted. If you find that you're struggling with anything, make sure to attend the ample consultation hours run by the lectures/tutors. These can be really helpful if you identify a lecture or tutor that can explains things clearly and is concerned with student's needs, which is most of them.

But by the end of this, I hope you'll get to a point to where you really love maths. I know going through some Khan Academy stuff help me understand it a whole lot better. Pretty much up until 2nd year uni, I was in a situation where I knew how to do questions and calculations, but really didn't understand why or how they worked. Once you're taught the basics in a clear and intuitive manner – as I think Khan Academy does (and many high school maths teachers don't) – everything else becomes a whole lot easier.

I'll definitely have a look at Khan Academy! I'm not sure what maths I'll be doing, I was just told that I needed VCE Maths Methods!

But I believed, I believed in myself. I kept telling myself that If one person can obtain straight A's in maths, anyone can, i can, because we are all the same, all humans! It all comes down to how bad you want something, and how bad you are willing to work to reach out to it. I spent hours everyday perfecting my basic math skills, (addition of fractions, learning exact values, practicing my weaknesses) and overtime, as they say "regular practice makes perfect". Never let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do, because at the end of the day the only person who knows how capable you are is yourself!

But to the point now, I advise you to master your basic mathematical concepts, such as understanding why certain things happen. Also learn how to add, subtract and multiply fractions as this would be of great help as it saves time when doing it by hand compared to a calculator. But ultimately, even if you have no confidence or no basic knowledge of maths, you can still DEMOLISH the subject, as I did averaging 98% in specialist and 97% in Methods. I would say the only 'preparation' you would need is a powerful will to succeed!!

Good luck

These are the skills I want to perfect - basic maths skills. Could you tell me all the basic maths skills I should perfect before starting with VCE Maths Methods? Could you also tell me which book you used, preferably one that explains why certain hings happen? It would also help if you could tell me how long it took for you to master these basic maths skills. I'll look into Khan Academy but as old-fashioned as this sounds, I'll always prefer books!


Thank you everyone for the good wishes, I'll absolutely need it but I won't rely on it, I'll make sure I work hard!

[cosine]

I used the Heinemann Methods CAS 1/2 book, it was not the best book in terms of challenging questions, but it sure did have the required theory! My advice to you for Mathematics is to learn the theory of WHY AND HOW things happen, because in VCE exams, they won't give you basic questions but tricky ones, were you are required to apply your knowledge.

How long did it take to master these basics?  I would say about a month or two, It wasnt easy though, it was really hard. Especially when I couldn't understand certain things, but if you put your head to and NEVER GIVE UP, you will master these basic skills in no time!!

Basics for Methods 1/2 I would say dealing with fractions (adding, subtracting, multiply and yes, dividing!), basic and tricky transposing and the fundamentals of graph sketching, including some domain and range backgrounds. Besides this, you will learn everything in class, but the above points you are sort of already required to know!!

Good luck, and always remember you have awesome people, like myself to help you, just PM me and I am willing to help with anything!

[appleandbee]

I'll definitely have a look at Khan Academy! I'm not sure what maths I'll be doing, I was just told that I needed VCE Maths Methods!

These are the skills I want to perfect - basic maths skills. Could you tell me all the basic maths skills I should perfect before starting with VCE Maths Methods? Could you also tell me which book you used, preferably one that explains why certain hings happen? It would also help if you could tell me how long it took for you to master these basic maths skills. I'll look into Khan Academy but as old-fashioned as this sounds, I'll always prefer books!


Thank you everyone for the good wishes, I'll absolutely need it but I won't rely on it, I'll make sure I work hard!

For basic arithmetic (multiplication, division etc., it comes with practice! If you want a textbook I recommend one called Essentials (year 7-10 level).

For Methods, I recommend Essentials Mathematical Methods 1/2 or 3/4. A good site with has tons of videos, is http://www.examsolutions.net/, which covers all the vce maths topics. Look up relevant topics under the index, or for starters look as the GCSE Maths column (equivalent of year 9-10 maths). 

[hobbitle]

+1 for Khan Academy.
What course are you doing at Melbourne Uni?
I saw your other thread about Chem.
Does this mean you want to do a Bachelor of Science? Have you been accepted? If so, how did you get accepted without Year 11/12 Maths Methods or equivalent?
I'm just curious. Good luck!

[spectroscopy]

As I've said on my other posts, I will be studying at the University of Melbourne next year as a mature aged student. I was told that I need to at least know the content in VCE Maths Methods (CAS) units 3/4. The problem is that the most advanced mathematics I can do at the moment is addition, subtraction, fractions and decimals - and even that takes a while!

just clarifying - you've got to from your current level of maths, to a level where you can complete VCE methods 3/4, by the time uni starts?

I think it would be very hard and this is gonna take alot of work in this amount of time. I really dont think it is possible though to get to a completed methods 3/4 level in a few months when you start off not knowing how the cartesian plane works.
i spent my summer holidays going into year 12 spending hours and days trying to learn stuff that i didnt know from 1/2 methods and year 10, and i was still miles behind when 3/4 started, let alone being at a level where i could complete 3/4. Granted i had other subjects to worry about, but from looking at your other posts it looks like you do too. As sir.jonse said above me

How long did it take to master these basics?  I would say about a month or two, It wasnt easy though, it was really hard.

and that isnt even touching 3/4 level which would take MUCH longer
It would definitely be possible however to get up to pre-3/4 methods, and learn things well, and then pick up MAST10012 introduction to mathematics in first semester https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/view/2014/MAST10012, and make sure your other 3 subjects that semester involve as little methods sort of math as possible
but if you were to self teach - here is how i would approach it

grab a year 10 maths book and just go through the khan academy maths, and after each lesson, do some practice questions from the relevant chapter of the year 10 maths book(such as mathsquest year 10). once youve mastered all the stuff in that textbook, and know it all well, grab a methods 1/2 textbook (forget further LOL it wont help) and do the same thing, learning as you go through khan academy and doing practice questions. if khan academy begins to exceed methods 1/2 stuff without covering all of the topics then learn those uncovered topics before you move onto the 3/4 book. if khan academy cant help then you can post on atarnotes in one of the methods question threads.
once youve finished your khan academy/methods 1/2 book, grab a methods 3/4 book, and work through the book, with khan academy and atarnotes and vtextbook supplementing you and teaching you, until you complete it.
im thinking the first introduction to quadratic equations, and the whole of methods 3/4 will take up most of your time.
this is just my 2 cents and everyone will have different opinions on how to approach this and the possibility of it all so keep that in mind

i just want to say though that i am glad to see that you are going back to uni as a mature age student and havent given up on education, it will be hard but definitely not impossible and im sure you will feel very fulfilled and be greatly rewarded once you get through uni best of luck in whatever you do !! and if you ever have questions about anything im sure there will be someone on atarnotes to help you out

[Professor Polonsky]

Also, I'm not sure if it's already been said, but I wouldn't bother with Further Maths at all. The core section (statistics) and maybe a couple of the modules are quite neat to know, but it's certainly not a required. (Yes, even though it's easier.)

A lot of what is taught in years 9-10 is on the Methods 1/2 curriculum, so to save time when teaching the 1/2. Quadratics are a good example of this. But as long as you go through the full curriculum for 1/2, you should be fine.