Whether you are about to enter into your senior years or you are already in the midst of its chaos, we’ve put together an all-in-one guide for HSC Standard Maths for you to use!
From ensuring that you have covered all your past topics before the next exam or you are anticipating what the next two years may bring. We have you covered.
Standard Maths is a 2-unit course that builds on mathematical concepts and problem-solving skills you have learned in Years 9 and 10.
Thus, it is good to revise and ensure you have a good understanding of the following topics:
Area and Surface Area
Financial Mathematics
Linear Relationships
Non-Linear Relationships
Right-angled triangles (trigonometry)
Single variable data analysis
Volume
Equations
Probability
Introduction to HSC Standard Maths
Unlike Mathematics Advanced or Extension, the Standard course is not based on calculus and instead focuses on practical and applicable mathematical skills for students entering the workforce or pursuing tertiary education.
As the education board describes, Mathematics ‘improves numeracy by building student confidence and making mathematics meaningful’.
Four topics are studied in Year 11:
Algebra (Formula and Equations and Linear Relationships)
Measurement (Applications of Measurement and Working with Time
Financial Mathematics (Money Matters)
Statistical Analysis (Data Analysis and Relative Frequency and Probability)
Five topics are studied in Year 12:
Algebra (Types of Relationships)
Measurement (Non-right-angled Trigonometry and Rates and Ratios)
Financial Mathematics (Investments and Loans and Annuities
Statistical Analysis (Bivariate Data Analysis and The Normal Distribution
Networks (Network Concepts and Critical Path Analysis)
In studying the above topics, you will develop your knowledge, understanding and skills in working and communicating mathematically. By studying how maths is used in a broad range of contemporary contexts, problem solving skills are taught to provide you with skills for the rest of your life!
Algebra
Algebra involves the use of symbols (all those x and y that pop up in your math textbooks, including the occasional Greek alphabet) to represent numbers or quantities. This helps you to break down problems or utilise formulas, helping to develop logical and sequential thinking to help with problem-solving.
Year 11 subtopics include:
Substitution
Equations
Changing the Subject
Travel Calculations
Blood Alcohol Content
Medication
Year 12 subtopics include:
Simultaneous equations
Break-Even Analysis
Exponential Functions and Models
Quadratic Functions and Models
Reciprocal Functions and Models
Inverse Variation
Measurement
Measurement teaches you how to solve practical problems using numbers and geometry. From area to volume, to calculate the energy you receive from the food you eat — this topic demonstrates how measurement exists in all aspects of our lives.
Year 11 subtopics include:
Units of Measurement
Measurement Errors
Standard Form and Significant Figures
Food and Nutrition
Energy Consumption
Perimeter, Area and Volume
Perimeter
Area of Circles and Sectors
Area of Composite Shapes
Trapezoidal Rules
Surface Area
Volume
Capacity
Time
Latitude and Longitude
Year 12 subtopics include:
Rates and Concentration
Ratio calculations
Scale drawing
Perimeter, area and volume
Heart and Energy Rate
Fuel Consumption Rate
Trigonometry: Sine and Cosine Rule
Angles of elevation and depression
Compass and True Bearings
Area of a Triangle
Financial Maths
For everything to do with money — financial maths focusses on earning, spending, investing, saving and borrowing money. These topics will help you to make independent and informed decisions about your finances and evaluate the financial information given to you.
Year 11 subtopics include:
Salary and wages
Annual Leave Loading and Bonuses
Overtime and Allowances
Commission
Piecework, Royalties
Allowable Tax Deductions
Taxable Income
Gross Pay, Net Pay and Deductions
Calculating Tax
Interest and Depreciation
Calculating GST
Household Bills
Car Insurance
Personal Budget
Year 12 subtopics include:
Future value
Appreciation and Inflation
Shares and Dividends
Declining Balance Depreciation
Reducing-Balance Loans
Credit Cards
Annuities as a Recurrence
Future and Present Value Table
Statistical Analysis
The statistical analysis looks at the collection, exploration, display, analysis and interpretation fo data to communicate information. It helps you to interpret and understand data to make your own decisions and draw your conclusions independently.
Year 11 subtopics include:
Classification of Data
Dot Plots and Stem-and-Leaf Plots
Box and Whisker graphs
Grouped Frequency Tables
Cumulative Frequency
Pareto Charts
Motor Vehicle Statistics
Water Usage
Linear Relationships
Measures of Central Tendency, Spread and Outliers
Describing and Comparing Distributions
Year 12 subtopics:
Bivariate Data Analysis
Bivariate Scatterplot
Line of Best Fit
Correlation Coefficient
Interpolation and Extrapolation
Statistical Investigation
Normal Distribution
Z Scores and Comparing Data
Networks
Networks is a relatively new course and only studied in Year 12. Networks involve graphical representations of situations to help inform your decision-making by using logical sequences to understand the relationship between people or things.
Year 12 subtopics include:
Networks
Network Travels and Diagrams
Eulerian and Network Problems
Minimal Spanning Trees and Connector Problems
Network Diagrams
Forward and Backward Scanning
Float Times and Critical Path
Minimum Completion Time
Network Flow Problems
On the hunt for other useful HSC Standard Maths resources?
Check out some of the other articles we’ve created below:
Looking for some extra help for your child with HSC Standard Maths?
We have an incredible team of Maths tutors and mentors!
We offer tutoring and mentoring for students in Years K-12 in a variety of subjects, with personalised lessons conducted one-on-one in your home or at one of our state of the art campuses in Hornsby or the Hills!
We’ve supported over 8,000 students over the last 11 years, and on average our students score mark improvements of over 20%!
To find out more and get started with an inspirational English tutor and mentor,get in touch today or give us a ring on 1300 267 888!
Tiffany Fong is currently completing a double degree in Media and Communications with Law at Macquarie University. She currently contributes to the university zine, Grapeshot where she enjoys writing feature articles, commentary on current affairs or whatever weird interest that has taken over her mind during that month. During her spare time, Tiffany enjoys reading, writing, taking care of her plants or cuddling with her two dogs.