Theta Mathematics (NCEA Edition)

Theta Mathematics (NCEA Edition) has been completely reorganised and updated to cover the full spectrum of the nine NCEA Level 2 Achievement Standards.  The liberal and functional use of colour throughout makes the book easier and more interesting to use.

The textbook has comprehensive exercises, with full answers, and the questions are set in context.   A special  icon appears wherever technology would help students.  

 



The nine NCEA Level 2 Achievement Standards are covered in separate colour-coded sections so that it is obvious which topics fit where.hown by the content grouped by the colour-coding shown below.

AS 2.1 Manipulating algebraic expressions and solving equations
 AS 2.2 Drawing straightforward non-linear graphs
 AS 2.3 Finding and using straightforward derivatives and integrals
 AS 2.4 Using coordinate geometry methods
 AS 2.5 Select a sample and use this to make an inference about the population
 AS 2.6 Simulate probability situations, and apply the normal distribution
 AS 2.7 Solve straightforward problems involving sequences
 AS 2.8 Solve trigonometry problems requiring modelling of practical situations
 AS 2.9 Solve straightforward trigonometric equations

The 35 chapters of Theta Mathematics (NCEA Edition) reflect the organisation into the nine NCEA Level 2 Achievement strands.  Click here for the chapter outline. 

Features of Theta Mathematics (NCEA edition) include:  

  • Full colour throughout
  • New investigations, as well as many of the popular ones from the first edition
  • New application questions added everywhere
  • New puzzles and cartoons
  • NCEA Revision sections for each achievement standard – each question clearly indicated as ACH, MRT or EXC
  • Indexed to navigate quickly between exercises and answers
  • Full emphasis on using relevant technology throughout
  • An associated Theta Mathematics (NCEA Edition) Workbook (to be published November 2005)
  • Data sets, simulations and spreadsheets that can be downloaded from this website.  They will also be included on a Companion CD that is bundled with the Homework book

There are also changes in content to reflect how NCEA dictates that the New Zealand Mathematics curriculum be assessed:

 

  • The emphasis in the Statistics section (AS 2.5) is on sampling and statistical inference rather than the old-style computation
  • In Probability (AS 2.6) there is extensive reference to simulation, and use of technology is encouraged.
  • In Trigonometry (AS 2.8) there is plenty of new coverage of using trigonometry in practical situations as NCEA assessment requires.

A special ‘technology’ icon appears wherever a graphics calculator or software package would help students. Spreadsheets are used, and in many places there are references to applets and webpages that are linked from the www.mathematics.co.nz website and the Companion CD.

There are plenty of new investigations – in the same style as other books in the series. These are both independent of, and related to, the coursework. Many of these investigations could be profitably used when preparing students for the internally assessed NCEA Achievement standards.

There are many mathematical puzzles included.  These will motivate students – some are quite challenging!

Corrections      Latest printing

Links related to the content of Theta Mathematics - Links

Spreadsheet files used in Theta Mathematics - available for download:  Spreadsheet Files

Workbook     Workbook

Companion CD     Companion CD