Mathematics Standard 2 Year 12 Topic Guide Algebra
Mathematics Standard 2 Year 12 Topic Guide Algebra
Topic Guides provide support for the Mathematics Stage 6 courses. They contain information
organised under the following headings: Terminology; Use of technology; Background
information; General comments; Future study; Considerations and teaching strategies;
Suggested applications and exemplar questions.
Topic Guides illustrate ways to explore syllabus-related content and consequently do not
define the scope of problems or learning experiences that students may encounter through
their study of a topic. The terminology list contains terms that may be used in the teaching and
learning of the topic. The list is not exhaustive and is provided simply to aid discussion.
Please provide any feedback to the Mathematics and Numeracy Curriculum Inspector.
Terminology........................................................................................................................3
Use of technology...............................................................................................................3
Background information....................................................................................................3
General comments..............................................................................................................4
Future study........................................................................................................................4
Subtopics............................................................................................................................4
Subtopic focus......................................................................................................................... 5
Mathematics Standard 2 Year 12 Topic guide: Algebra, updated December 2018 Page 2 of 8
Topic focus
Algebra involves the use of symbols to represent numbers or quantities and to express
relationships. It is an essential tool in problem-solving through the solution of equations,
graphing of relationships and modelling with functions.
Knowledge of algebra enables the modelling of a problem conceptually so that it is simpler to
solve, before returning the solution to its more complex practical form.
The study of algebra is important in developing students’ reasoning skills and logical thought
processes, as well as their ability to represent and solve problems.
Terminology
asymptote hyperbola quadratic model
axis of symmetry intercepts reciprocal function
braking distance inverse variation reciprocal model
break-even point linear rectangular hyperbola
constant linear equations revenue
cost model simultaneous linear equations
exponential function non-linear sketch
exponential model parabola straight-line graph
graph point of intersection turning point
growth or decay quadratic function variation
Use of technology
Students can use a spreadsheet to generate a table of values and the associated linear graph
to find the points of intersection of graphs, for example in break-even analysis.
Suitable graphing software can be used to create graphs of functions and when investigating
the similarities and differences between the graphs of a variety of linear and non-linear
relationships.
Students should have access to appropriate technology in order to create graphs of functions,
including linear, quadratic, hyperbolic and exponential functions.
Background information
Over 4000 years ago, the Babylonians solved simple systems of linear equations with two
unknowns. The first recorded example of the solution of simultaneous linear equations by
elimination was in the ancient Chinese work Jiuzhang suanshu (Nine Chapters of the
Mathematical Art, circa 100 BCE–50 CE). However, it was not until the late 17th century that
the modern study of linear algebra originated through the work of Gottfried Leibnitz (1646–
1716).
Mathematics Standard 2 Year 12 Topic guide: Algebra, updated December 2018 Page 3 of 8
Non-linear relationships appear frequently in the areas of science and economics and are
fundamental to many physical phenomena. For example, the motion of thrown objects,
models of population growth, the value of a car and the length of time it has been owned or
the amount of time it takes to complete a task and the number of people doing it.
Graphs can often be used to solve problems that would be difficult to solve by other means.
General comments
Algebraic skills can be developed through the use of formulae and algebraic expressions
from vocational and other practical contexts.
Students may require review of Stage 5 or Year 11 material at the start of this topic to ensure
they have appropriate knowledge, understanding and skills of algebraic manipulation.
Future study
Linear algebra is useful in solving network problems, such as analysing traffic flow patterns.
It is also the basis of linear programming, a process widely used in business to solve
problems involving multiple numbers of variables.
The concept of variation is widely used in many applications of algebra in further studies and
in the workplace.
Students who undertake future studies in science and business will benefit from a deeper
understanding of the interpretation and use of algebra to solve real-life problems.
Subtopics
MS-A4: Types of Relationships
Mathematics Standard 2 Year 12 Topic guide: Algebra, updated December 2018 Page 4 of 8
MS-A4: Types of Relationships
Subtopic focus
The principal focus of this subtopic is the graphing and interpretation of relationships, and the
use of simultaneous linear equations in solving practical problems.
Students develop their ability to communicate concisely, use equations to describe and solve
practical problems, and use algebraic or graphical representations of relationships to predict
future outcomes.
Within this subtopic, schools have the opportunity to identify areas of Stage 5 content which
may need to be reviewed to meet the needs of students.
Mathematics Standard 2 Year 12 Topic guide: Algebra, updated December 2018 Page 5 of 8
The break-even point is the solution of the equation I =C , which can be solved
graphically or algebraically.
Mathematics Standard 2 Year 12 Topic guide: Algebra, updated December 2018 Page 6 of 8
Sketch at least 10 rectangles that have the same perimeter. Record length versus area in
a table. Sketch the resulting function and use the graph to determine the rectangle with
maximum area. Describe this rectangle.
On the Earth, the equation d=4.9 t 2 can be used to express the distance (d metres) that
an object falls in t seconds, if air resistance is ignored. Investigate the equations for the
moon and for other planets: for example on the moon, the equation is
2 2
d=0.8 t . Create a table of values for the function d=4.9 t either manually or by using a
spreadsheet, and use the table to answer questions such as: How long does it take for an
object to fall 300 m?
Inverse variation can be used to find how much each person contributes when a cost is
shared. For example, a household has $306 in bills. Create a table and draw a graph to
show how much each person pays if there are 2, 3, 4 or 5 people contributing equally to
pay the bills.
Anjali is investigating stopping distances for a car travelling at different speeds. To model
this she uses the equation d=0.01 s 2+0.7 s , where d is the stopping distance in metres
and s is the car’s speed in km/h. The graph of this equation is drawn below.
(a) Anjali knows that only part of this curve applies to her model for stopping distances.
In your writing booklet, using a set of axes, sketch the part of this curve that applies
for stopping distances.
(b) What is the difference between the stopping distances in a school zone when
travelling at a speed of 40 km/h and when travelling at a speed of 70 km/h?
In 2010, the city of Thagoras modelled the predicted population of the city using the
equation P= A (1.04)n. That year, the city introduced a policy to slow its population growth.
The new predicted population was modelled using the equation P= A (b)n. In both
equations, P is the predicted population and n is the number of years after 2010. The
graph shows the two predicted populations.
Mathematics Standard 2 Year 12 Topic guide: Algebra, updated December 2018 Page 7 of 8
(a) Use the graph to find the predicted population of Thagoras in 2030 if the population
policy had NOT been introduced.
(b) In each of the two equations given, the value of A is 3 000 000. What does A
represent?
(c) The guess-and-check method is to be used to find the value of b , in P= A (b)n.
1. Explain, with or without calculations, why 1.05 is not a suitable first estimate for
b.
2. With n=20 and P=4 460 000, use the guess-and-check method and the
equation P= A (b)n to estimate the value of b to two decimal places. Show at
least TWO estimate values for b , including calculations and conclusions.
(d) The city of Thagoras was aiming to have a population under 7 000 000 in 2050. Does
the model indicate that the city will achieve this aim? Justify your answer with
suitable calculations.
Mathematics Standard 2 Year 12 Topic guide: Algebra, updated December 2018 Page 8 of 8