COURSE OVERVIEW

The Mathematical Methods (CAS) course consists

of the study of four topics:
- Functions, relations and graphs
- Algebra, number and structure
- Calculus
- Data analysis, probability and statistics

ASSESSMENT
Unit 3
- Application Task (20%)
(Functions and calculus based)
- The application task is to be of 4–6 hours’
duration over a period of 1–2 weeks.

MATHEMATICAL Unit 4
- Problem Solving/Modelling Task (10%)
(Functions and calculus based)

METHODS (CAS) -

-
Problem Solving/Modelling Task (10%)
(Data, analysis, probability and statistics)
Each modelling or problem-solving task is
to be of 2–3 hours’ duration over a period

UNITS 3&4 of 1 week.

Examination 1 (20%)
- Duration: 1 hour
Transition – 2023/24 - No technology (calculators or software) or
notes of any kind are permitted.

Examination 2 (40%)
- Duration: 2 hours.
- Student access to an approved technology
with numerical, graphical, symbolic and
statistical functionality will be assumed.
- One bound reference text (which may be
annotated) or lecture pad may be brought
into the examination.

ALWAYS BRING YOUR CAS TO CLASS

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Contents
Set Notation and Interval Notation ............................................................................................................................. 2
Domain & Range ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Linear Coordinate Geometry ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Systems of equations .................................................................................................................................................. 7
Polynomials: Quadratics.............................................................................................................................................. 9
Polynomials .............................................................................................................................................................. 12
Cubics & Quartics ...................................................................................................................................................... 13
Hyperbola, Truncus, and Square root functions ......................................................................................................... 17
Hybrid functions (Piecewise Functions) ..................................................................................................................... 20
Functions & Relations ............................................................................................................................................... 22
Inverse Functions ...................................................................................................................................................... 23
Application Questions ............................................................................................................................................... 27
VCAA Questions Exam 1 – Tech Free, Holiday homework .......................................................................................... 29
VCAA Questions Exam 2 MCQ– Tech Active, Holiday homework ............................................................................... 31
VCAA Questions Exam 2 ERQ – Tech Active, Holiday homework ................................................................................ 33
Answers .................................................................................................................................................................... 35
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Set Notation and Interval Notation
Name Symbol Meaning Example Diagram
Set A collection of objects. 𝐴𝐴 = {1,2,3,4}
{ }
The objects are called ‘elements’. 𝐵𝐵 = {1,2,3}
Element ∈ An object (e.g. a number) belongs 2 ∈ {1,2,3,4}
to a set. 2 ∈ 𝐴𝐴
Not an element An object (e.g. a number) does not 5 ∉ {1,2,3,4}
∉
belong to a set. 5 ∉ 𝐴𝐴
Subset Every element in one set is also
⊂ contained in another set.
𝐵𝐵 ⊂ 𝐴𝐴

Union A set that contains the elements

∪ which are in 𝐴𝐴 or 𝐵𝐵 or both.
Think of it as combining the sets. {1.2.3} ∪ {1,6,7}
= {1,2,3,6,7}
𝐴𝐴 ∪ 𝐵𝐵

Intersection A set that contains elements that

∩ must be in both 𝐴𝐴 and 𝐵𝐵.
Elements that are common to both {1,2,3} ∩ {1,6,7}
sets. = {1}
𝐴𝐴 ∩ 𝐵𝐵

Exclusion \ A set that removes any elements

{1,2,3,4,5}\{2,4}
of 𝐵𝐵 from 𝐴𝐴.
= {1,3,5}
𝐴𝐴\𝐵𝐵
Complement The set of elements that are not in 𝐴𝐴 = {1,2, … ,10}
‘
𝐴𝐴. 𝐵𝐵 = {1,2,3,4,5,6}
A’
𝐵𝐵′ = {7,8,9,10}
Empty set ∅ A set with no elements in it.
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Domain & Range

• Cannot divide by zero

• Cannot take a square root of a negative number

CAS Example
1
1) What is the maximal domain of 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = √𝑥𝑥 + 2 + ?
𝑥𝑥−3

The maximal domain is [−2, ∞)\{3}

2) What is the range of the function 𝑓𝑓: [−3,5] → 𝑅𝑅, 𝑓𝑓 (𝑥𝑥) = 𝑥𝑥 2 − 4𝑥𝑥 + 10 ?
Range is [6, 31]
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𝑥𝑥+1
8) What is the maximal domain of 𝑓𝑓 (𝑥𝑥) = 𝑥𝑥 2 −4?

9) What is the range of the function 𝑔𝑔: (1, 3] → 𝑅𝑅, 𝑔𝑔(𝑥𝑥) = 3𝑥𝑥 − 𝑥𝑥 2 + 4?

10) The function 𝑓𝑓: 𝐷𝐷 → 𝑅𝑅, 𝑓𝑓 (𝑥𝑥) = 6 + 𝑥𝑥 has range [3, 10]. What is the domain 𝐷𝐷?

11) What is the range of the function 𝑓𝑓: [−2, 7) → 𝑅𝑅, 𝑓𝑓 (𝑥𝑥) = 5 − 𝑥𝑥?

12) The linear function 𝑓𝑓: 𝐷𝐷 → 𝑅𝑅, 𝑓𝑓 (𝑥𝑥) = 6 − 2𝑥𝑥 has range [−4, 12]. What is the domain 𝐷𝐷?

13) Determine the range of the function 𝑓𝑓: [−2, 3) → 𝑅𝑅, 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = 𝑥𝑥2 − 2𝑥𝑥 − 8.
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Linear Coordinate Geometry
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Systems of equations
Comparing 𝒎𝒎 and 𝒄𝒄 values of two straight lines
Consider the following statements:
• Solutions to a system of equations can presented by points of intersection.
• A pair of straight lines can have either 0, 1 or infinite number of points of intersection.
• Straight lines can be written in the form: 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 + 𝑐𝑐
One point of intersection No point of intersection ‘Infinite’ points of intersection
Unique solution No solution Infinitely many solutions
𝑚𝑚1 ≠ 𝑚𝑚2 𝑚𝑚1 = 𝑚𝑚2 𝑚𝑚1 = 𝑚𝑚2
𝑐𝑐1 ≠ 𝑐𝑐2 𝑐𝑐1 = 𝑐𝑐2
Both lines have different If both lines are parallel, they will not If both lines have the same equation,
gradients to each other. intersect each other IF they are not they will overlap each other. The two
exact same line. (Hence, 𝑐𝑐1 ≠ 𝑐𝑐2 ) lines will intersect for all values of 𝑥𝑥 & 𝑦𝑦.

Example
𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 − 3𝑦𝑦 = 𝑘𝑘 − 1 … (1)
10𝑥𝑥 − (𝑘𝑘 + 1)𝑦𝑦 = 8 … (2)
Find values of 𝑘𝑘 such that there is:
a. A unique solution b. No solution c. Infinitely many solutions

a. Firstly, rearrange both equations into the form, 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 + 𝑐𝑐.

𝑘𝑘 1 − 𝑘𝑘
𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥 + … (1)
3 3
10 8
𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥 − … (2)
𝑘𝑘 + 1 𝑘𝑘 + 1
For a unique solution, we require 𝑚𝑚1 ≠ 𝑚𝑚2 (different gradients).
𝑘𝑘 10
Solve 3 = 𝑘𝑘+1 for 𝑘𝑘 gives us: 𝑘𝑘 = −6, 5. These are the 𝑘𝑘-values such that 𝑚𝑚1 = 𝑚𝑚2 .
Hence, 𝑘𝑘 𝜖𝜖 𝑅𝑅\{−6, 5} for a unique solution.

b. Let’s reuse the above equations in the form 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 + 𝑐𝑐.

For no solutions, we require 𝑚𝑚1 = 𝑚𝑚2 (same gradient).
We found out in part a. that for the same gradient, 𝑘𝑘 = −6, 5.
However, both lines must be different (𝑐𝑐1 ≠ 𝑐𝑐2 ).
Compare 𝑐𝑐-values:
1 − 𝑘𝑘 −8
=
3 𝑘𝑘 + 1
𝑘𝑘 = −5, 5
This means that both 𝑐𝑐-values are the same when 𝑘𝑘 = −5, 5.
Therefore, 𝑘𝑘 = −6 for different but parallel lines (𝑚𝑚1 = 𝑚𝑚2 and 𝑐𝑐1 ≠ 𝑐𝑐2 )

c. Let’s reuse information from part a. and part b.

For same gradient, 𝑚𝑚1 = 𝑚𝑚2 : 𝑘𝑘 = −6, 5
For same 𝑦𝑦-intercept, 𝑐𝑐1 = 𝑐𝑐2 : 𝑘𝑘 = −5, 5

For infinitely many solutions, we want 𝑚𝑚1 = 𝑚𝑚2 and 𝑐𝑐1 = 𝑐𝑐2 as both lines must be the same.
Therefore, 𝑘𝑘 = 5 for two exact same lines.
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TECH-FREE

TECH-ACTIVE
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Polynomials: Quadratics

Turning point form 𝑥𝑥-intercept form

𝑦𝑦 = 𝑎𝑎(𝑥𝑥 − ℎ )2 + 𝑘𝑘 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑎𝑎(𝑥𝑥 − 𝑏𝑏)(𝑥𝑥 − 𝑐𝑐)

QUADRATICS: TECH-FREE QUESTIONS

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QUADRATICS: TECH-ACTIVE

2. Find the equation of the parabola, in expanded form, that passes through the points (–2, 25), (4, 7) and (5, 18).
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Polynomials

Tech-free

Tech active

Tech free

Tech active
14. if 𝐴𝐴𝑥𝑥 3 + (𝐵𝐵 − 1)𝑥𝑥 2 + (𝐵𝐵 + 𝐶𝐶 )𝑥𝑥 + 𝐷𝐷 = 3𝑥𝑥 3 − 𝑥𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑥 − 7, find the values of 𝐴𝐴, 𝐵𝐵, 𝐶𝐶, and 𝐷𝐷.
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Cubics & Quartics

𝑦𝑦 = (𝑥𝑥 − 𝑎𝑎)𝑛𝑛 (𝑥𝑥 − 𝑏𝑏)𝑚𝑚 (𝑥𝑥 − 𝑐𝑐)𝑝𝑝 … 𝑛𝑛 = 1, cuts the 𝑥𝑥-axis

𝑛𝑛 = even, turning point touching 𝑥𝑥-axis
𝑛𝑛 = odd, point of inflection at 𝑥𝑥-axis

CUBICS & QUARTICS: TECH-ACTIVE

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CUBICS & QUARTICS: TECH-ACTIVE

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Hyperbola, Truncus, and Square root functions

TECH-FREE
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TECH-ACTIVE
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Hybrid functions (Piecewise Functions)

TECH-FREE
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TECH-ACTIVE
Q17 A hybrid function is defined by:
⎧𝑥𝑥 + 8, 𝑥𝑥 ∈ (−∞, −8]
⎪ 1
𝑓𝑓 (𝑥𝑥) = 𝑥𝑥 3 + 2, 𝑥𝑥 ∈ (−8, 8]
⎨ 32
⎪ , 𝑥𝑥 ∈ (8, ∞)
⎩ 𝑥𝑥

a. Determine the values of 𝑘𝑘 for which the equation 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = 𝑘𝑘 has:

i. No solutions ii. One solution iii. Two solutions

b. Find {𝑥𝑥: 𝑓𝑓 (𝑥𝑥) = 1}

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Functions & Relations
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Inverse Functions
An inverse function is a function that is the image of a function that is reflected on the line 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥.
• The inverse function of 𝑓𝑓 (𝑥𝑥) is denoted as 𝑓𝑓 −1 (𝑥𝑥).
• A function has an inverse function if and only if it is one-to-one.
• The domain of 𝑓𝑓 −1 (𝑥𝑥) is the range of 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥).
• The range of 𝑓𝑓 −1 (𝑥𝑥) is the domain of 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥).
• 𝑓𝑓�𝑓𝑓 −1 (𝑥𝑥)� = 𝑥𝑥, for all 𝑥𝑥 ∈ dom 𝑓𝑓 −1 and 𝑓𝑓 −1 �𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥)� = 𝑥𝑥, for all 𝑥𝑥 ∈ dom 𝑓𝑓 .
Overall, if 𝑓𝑓 is a one-to-one function, then a new function 𝑓𝑓 −1 , is called the inverse of 𝑓𝑓.

Finding inverse functions

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Note: It is important that students do not proceed directly from 𝑦𝑦 = √𝑥𝑥 − 3 to 𝑥𝑥 = �𝑦𝑦 − 3.
This is not correct working. Students need to indicate that new working is starting.

15. Given 𝒇𝒇: (−∞, 𝟑𝟑] → 𝑹𝑹, 𝒇𝒇(𝒙𝒙) = 𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐 − 𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔 + 𝟖𝟖, determine the equation and the domain of 𝒇𝒇−𝟏𝟏 .
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−𝟏𝟏 (
Finding intersections between 𝒇𝒇(𝒙𝒙) and 𝒇𝒇 𝒙𝒙)
When sketching an inverse function, it is a reflection in the line 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥. That means
that the intersections between 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) and 𝑓𝑓 −1 (𝑥𝑥) can be found on the line 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥.
Thus, we can find point of intersections between 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) and 𝑓𝑓 −1 (𝑥𝑥) by making either
one equal to 𝑥𝑥. That is,
𝑓𝑓 (𝑥𝑥) = 𝑥𝑥 or 𝑓𝑓 −1 (𝑥𝑥) = 𝑥𝑥.
You may also do 𝑓𝑓 (𝑥𝑥) = 𝑓𝑓 −1 (𝑥𝑥) as normal, but that may require more working.
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Application Questions
Q1. Fire when ready
A cannon is on the edge of a cliff (at A), overlooking the sea. In the graph below, the origin is placed at the
intersection of the vertical cliff face (𝑦𝑦-axis) and the horizontal sea level (𝑥𝑥-axis). It should be noted that x
and y are measured in hundreds of metres. The point (2, 0.24) is therefore 200 m from the cliff and 24 m
above sea level.
A ship of invaders is positioned at the point (3, 0). To hit the ship, the cannon ball must travel along the
path shown below which is part of the graph of a cubic function.
If the entire graph was shown, there would be a turning point at (−2, 0).

a) Show that the equation of the path can be given as 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥 ) = 𝑘𝑘(𝑥𝑥 3 + 𝑥𝑥 2 − 8𝑥𝑥 − 12), where 𝑘𝑘 is
a constant.

b) Assuming that the cannon ball hits the enemy ship and then stops, write down the domain of f.

c) Use the fact that the cannon ball passes through the point B (2, 0.24) to find 𝑘𝑘.

d) Hence find the height, in metres, from which the cannon ball is fired.
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e) Find the maximum height the cannon ball reaches to the nearest tenth of a metre.

Another enemy ship is positioned at the point (6, 0). This ship is equipped with a weapon that can fire a
missile at a great speed so that the path of the missile can be modelled by a straight line.
f) Find the equation of the straight line for the missile to collide with the cannon ball at the point B if
the timing is right.

g) If the missile was fired along the straight line found in question f),
i) Assuming correct timing, at what other position, in coordinates, will it collide with the
cannon ball?

ii) If the missile doesn’t hit the cannon ball, what would be the maximum difference in height
between the cannon ball and the missile?
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VCAA Questions Exam 1 – Tech Free, Holiday homework
Refer to the VCAA examiner reports for solutions to the following VCAA questions.
2016 Question 3

2019 Question 5
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2011 Question 6

2018 Question 5
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VCAA Questions Exam 2 MCQ– Tech Active, Holiday homework
Refer to the VCAA examiner reports for solutions to the following VCAA questions.

2011

2016

2017
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2018

2015

2014
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VCAA Questions Exam 2 ERQ – Tech Active, Holiday homework
2016 Question 4

2017 Question 1
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2017 Question 3
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Answers Cubics & Quartics Hyperbola, Truncus, and Square root functions
Domain & Range Quadratics
Q7

2. B, 3. A, 6. E, 8. C
8) 𝑅\ 2, 2 9) 4, 6.25 10) 𝐷 3,4
11) 2, 7 12) 3, 5 13) 9,0

Linear Coordinate Geometry

2. 𝑎 , 𝑏
√
3. 𝑥

Systems of equations
Hybrid functions Functions & Relations

Inverse Functions

Polynomials

14. 𝐴 3, 𝐵 0, 𝐶 2, 𝐷 7 11
15

2 y = 2x2 – 7x + 3
Cubics & Quartics Hyperbola, Truncus, and Square root functions

𝟏 𝟏
15. 𝒇 𝒙 𝟑 √𝒙 𝟏, 𝒅𝒐𝒎 𝒇 ∈ 𝟏, ∞
6 8
Application
1(b) Domain = [0,3]
(c) k=‐3/200
(d) 18m
(e) 27.8m
(f) 𝑦 0.06𝑥 0.36
(g) 36m