CURRICULUM FOR THE COMMON CORE SUBJECT OF MATHEMATICS (MAT1-04)

Main subject areas

The subject has been structured into main areas for which competence aims have been formulated. These main subject areas supplement each other and must be considered together.

Mathematics is a common core subject for all the education programmes in upper secondary education. The subject shall therefore be made as relevant as possible for pupils by adapting the subject to the different education programmes.

Mathematics has competence aims after the second, fourth, seventh and tenth years in primary and lower secondary education and after Vg1 (the first year) and Vg2 (the second year) in programmes for general studies and vocational education programmes in upper secondary education.

There are two subject curricula for Vg1. Variant T is more theoretical, while Variant P is more practical.

Both variants qualify candidates for higher education together with either the common core programme subject Mathematics at level Vg2 (2P) or the programme subject Mathematics (R1/S1).

Pupils taking the vocational subjects shall have of their Vg1 curriculum in 1P or 1T: The curriculum shows the competence aims for Mathematics for the vocational education programmes in 1T-Y and 1P-Y.

Overview of the main subject areas:

Numbers and algebra in practice

The main subject area Numbers and algebra in practice focuses on developing an understanding of numbers and insight into how numbers and processing numbers are part of systems and patterns. With numbers it is possible to quantify amounts and magnitudes. Numbers includes whole numbers, fractions, decimal numbers and percentages. Algebra in school generalises calculation with numbers by representing numbers with letters or other symbols. This makes it possible to describe and analyse patterns and relationships. Algebra is also used in connection with the other main subject areas.

Geometry

Geometry in school focuses on analysing characteristics of two- and three-dimensional figures and carrying out constructions and calculations. Dynamic processes are studied, such as mirroring, rotation and displacement. The main subject area also covers describing locations and moving around grids, maps and coordinate systems.

Measurement

Measuring means comparing and often assigning a size in numbers to an object or amount. This process requires the use of measurement units and suitable techniques, measuring tools and formulas. Assessing results and discussing measurement uncertainty are important elements of the measuring process.

Statistics, probability and combinatorics

Statistics covers planning, collecting, organising, analysing and presenting data. Part of data analysis is describing general characteristics of the data material. Assessing and critically considering conclusions and presentations of data are key elements in statistics. Probability focuses on expressing in numbers the likelihood that an event will occur. Combinatorics involves systematic ways of determining numbers, and is often required for calculating probability.

Functions

A function unambiguously describes change or development of an amount that depends on another. Functions may be expressed in a number of ways, for example using formulas, tables and graphs. Analysis of functions involves looking for special characteristics, such as the speed of a process and when the process reaches particular values.

Economics

The main subject area Economics focuses on calculations and assessments of economic conditions.