Top Tips 6 of 13 MATHEMATICAL LITERACY

2008 MATR IC REVISIO N Matric Revision TOP TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS: EDITION 6 OF 13 MATHEMATICAL LITERACY 1 Good luck message Master your Maths Literacy exam ity Celebr appropriate vocabulary such as: equation, formulae, Cartesian plane, hola! area, surface area, perimeter, radius, diameter, length, breadth, height, base, circumference, volume, circle, cylinder, polygons, right prisms, triangular, rectangular and square. • Read information directly from a table and use some given information and simple operations to complete a table of values; • Measure values which involve length, distance, weight and time using appropriate measuring instruments sensitive to levels of accuracy in a familiar context; Kabelo • Draw simple scale drawings where the scale is given and based on the application of simple routine procedures in a familiar context; • Describe relationships between input and output values in a table of data concerning space, shape and measurement; “Bugga2shoes” SENI NATION OR CE AL RTIF ICAT E • Use grids and maps in order to determine locations in a familiar context, applying routine procedures; and GRAD E 12 MAT HEM ATIC S P1 • Convert units of measurement between different scales and EXEM PLAR 2008 MARK TIM E: 3 S: 150 hours systems using provided conversion tables, including: This • Converting to a smaller unit of length, time, weight, etc; quest • Converting to a bigger unit of length, time, weight, etc; ion pap er con sists of 10 pages, 2 diagra m sheets and a for mula • Converting units of area; and Copyrig ht sheet. reserved CALL A FRIEND: The matrics of Providence Academy in Johannesburg say they need all the help they can find for their forthcoming exams Please turn over • Converting units of volume. An overview of Mathematical Literacy as a • Calculate profit/loss if income and expenses are both given; 4. Data-handling (30 – 45 marks) new subject • Calculate a direct percentage of a given amount; Make sure that you are able to: W elcome to the new world of Mathematical Literacy. Some of you may have been worried about having to take ‘mathematics’ as one of your subjects, but you have hopefully by now • • Write a ratio of two quantities which are already in the same unit; Substitute into a given formula; • • • Understand terminologies like mode, mean, range, quartiles, etc; Arrange data in ascending order; Identify the mode; realised that Mathematical Literacy helps you handle real-life issues • Round off to a given number of decimal places; • Determine the median when data is already arranged in such as hire purchase, mortgage bonds, investments and the reading • Read information directly from a financial table; ascending order and n is odd (n = number of scores); You only bring to rememberance of maps, etc. It has also hopefully helped you acquire a critical stance about some of the mathematical arguments presented in the media and • • Convert fractions to decimals; Convert decimals to fractions; • • Construct frequency tables from arranged data; Read information from graphs and frequency tables; what you have learnt. via other platforms. • Convert a decimal to a percentage; • Construct tally tables; The Mathematical Literacy examination papers will be set in • Convert a fraction to a percentage; • Determine the median when data is already arranged in such a way that the questions are based predominantly on the kind • Understand and use appropriate vocabulary such as: equations, ascending order, and n is median (n = number of scores); of issues you are likely to encounter in life – for example, paying formulae, Cartesian plane, table of values, ratio, rate, average, etc; • Calculate mean and the range of given scores; your household bills (such as your electricity, water and telephone • Calculate simple interest; • Draw graphs from given data (these graphs include pie charts, ngo bills), dealing with tariffs and town plans, etc. However, you will • Calculate compound interest compounded annually; single and compound bar graphs, line and broken line graphs, asa MEET OUR MATHEMATICAL LITERACY EXPERT Thomas M definitely be expected to use mathematical content knowledge to • Increase or decrease a given amount by a certain percentage; and histograms); make sense of and solve these real-life problems – and in order to • Determine a ratio when the quantities are not in the same unit; • Calculate simple probability; and help you demonstrate your content knowledge in the examinations, • Calculate a one-step currency fluctuation; • Express the probability of choosing a score in terms of the examiners may set a few basic questions not related to a specific, • Calculate exchange rates; and fractions, ratios and percentages. practical problem. For example: calculate 450 – 45,2 × 36; write 0,45 • Show awareness of the significance of digits. as a percentage; or decrease R600 by 15%. CONCLUSION 2. Functional relationships (30 – 45 marks) The questions you will be asked will require some reading of the The Mathematical Literacy examination Make sure you are able to: given scenario. Take time to understand the problem before you Mathematical The Grade 12 Mathematical Literacy examination • Substitute number(s) into a given formula when there is a attempt to solve it. It helps to ask yourself questions about the consists of two papers: functional relationship (finding output values); problems. Often, the questions you ask yourself are actually in the Paper 1: This paper is 3 hours long and it is out of 150 marks. It will • Solve equations (finding input values for simple equations); paper! Good luck! Literacy consist of between five and eight questions. Basic content knowledge will be required to answer the questions. • • Read answers directly from a given simple graph and/or table; Plot data on a point-by-point basis; helps you Paper 2: This paper is also 3 hours long and out of 150 marks. It will • Solve equations (finding input values for complex equations); consist of between four and six questions. These questions will require • Determine output values for given input values; WIN PRIZES TO THE VALUE OF R88 000 WITH BOSTON handle real- more interpretation and application of the information provided. • Work with formulae to establish points to plot; Please note that Paper 2 will be discussed in more detail in next • Plot graphs on a point-by-point basis when data is given; CITY CAMPUS & BUSINESS week’s Matric Revision page so be sure to look out for it. Today we • Read answers directly from a complex graph and tables; COLLEGE life issues focus on Paper 1. • Estimate answers to simpler equations and calculations; With both papers, make sure that in each hour of the examination • Solve equations by trial-and-improvement method or by • 1 x Boston Media House (3 year) such as hire you answer questions that are worth at least 50 marks. It will also inspection; and bursary worth R66 000 PRACTICALLY SPEAKING: Our Maths Lit expert, Thomas help you to manage your time better if you start with the questions • Identify maximum, minimum and critical points from a • 20worth x Intro to PC Bursaries purchase and you understand better – just remember to number them as they appear given graph. R1 000 each Masango, Chief Educational in the question paper. Specialist at the national There are four broad content areas dealt with in 3. Space, shape and measurement (30 – 45 marks) To enter, SMS the word BOSTON (space) MEDIA or investments. Department of Education, believes that his subject Mathematical Literacy: Make sure you are able to: BOSTON (space) PC ( depending on your equips you to solve everyday • Numbers and operations • Calculate and estimate values using basic operations that involve preferredcourse), followed by your name and problems in real-life situations • Functional relationships length and distance, where each of the required dimensions is surname to 34110 • Space, shape and measurement readily available. SMS cost R2.00. Rules and conditions apply. T homas Masango matriculated at Makhosana Secondary School in Mpumalanga in 1983. He holds a BA degree (Mathematics and Psychology) and HDE from Fort Hare, a BSc Honours degree • Data Handling Both papers will be set on all four content areas. They will differ only in the level of difficulty of the questions. Paper 1 will be less • Understand and use formulae such as: perimeters and areas of polygons, volumes of right prisms, right circular cylinders, surface and a Post Graduate Diploma in Science Education from Wits. He demanding than Paper 2. areas of right prisms and right taught Mathematics before becoming a Mathematics subject adviser circular cylinders, where and then the regional head of subject advisers in Mpumalanga. He An analysis of Mathematical Literacy Paper 1 the dimensions and was a moderator and examiner in Mathematics in Mpumalanga What follows is an indication of the type of questions you can formulae are readily and also served on the national panel of Mathematics examiners. expect in Paper 1 in each of the four broad content areas. Be aware available; He joined the national Department of Education in 2006 as a Chief that mathematical problems drawn from a real-life situation usually • Understand Education Specialist for Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy, a overlap in two or more broad content areas. and use position he still holds. 1. Numbers and operations (30 – 45 marks) Pictures: StockXchng Make sure you are able to: NEXT WEEK : MATHEMATICAL LITERACY 2 • Add a set of numbers to calculate total income/expenses;