Mathematics is the study of order, relation and pattern. From its origins in counting and measuring, it has
evolved in highly sophisticated and elegant ways to become the language used to describe much of the
physical world. Statistics is the study of ways of collecting and extracting information from data and of using
that information to describe and make predictions about the behaviour of aspects of the real world in the
face of uncertainty. Together, mathematics and statistics provide a framework for thinking and a means of
communication that is powerful, logical, concise and precise.

The Mathematics Essential General course focuses on enabling students to use mathematics effectively,
efficiently and critically to make informed decisions in their daily lives. It provides students with the
mathematical knowledge, skills and understanding to solve problems in real contexts for a range of
workplace, personal, further learning and community settings. This course offers students the opportunity to
prepare for post-school options of employment and further training.

For all content areas of the Mathematics Essential General course, the proficiency strands of understanding,
fluency, problem solving and reasoning from the Year 7–10 curriculum continue to be very much applicable
and should be inherent in students’ learning of the course. Each of these is essential and mutually
reinforcing. For all content areas, practice, together with a focus on understanding, allows students to
develop fluency in their skills. Students will encounter opportunities for problem solving, such as finding the
interest on a sum of money to enable comparison between different types of loans. In the Mathematics
Essential General course, reasoning includes critically interpreting and analysing information represented
through graphs, tables and other statistical representations to make informed decisions. The ability to
transfer mathematical skills between contexts is a vital part of learning in this course. For example,
familiarity with the concept of a rate enables students to solve a wide range of practical problems, such as
fuel consumption, travel times, interest payments, taxation, and population growth.

The content of the Mathematics Essential General course is designed to be taught within contexts that are
relevant to the needs of the particular student cohort. The skills and understandings developed throughout
the course will be further enhanced and reinforced through presentation related to areas encountered in
vocational education and training (VET), apprenticeships, traineeships or employment.