Sierra Leone Senior Secondary School Syllabus - Mathematics & Numeracy > Applied Subjects

This syllabus outlines the applied mathematics subjects offered within the Mathematics & Numeracy stream of the Sierra Leone Senior Secondary School Curriculum. These syllabi were developed by the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE).

Mathematics for Business and Enterprise

This subject equips students with the mathematical knowledge and skills relevant to the business world. It covers various topics, including:

• Sets, Indices, and Number Bases: Students learn about different types of sets, operations on sets, rules of indices, equations of indices, number base conversions, and modular arithmetic.
• Algebra, Relations, and Functions: This section covers algebra and real numbers, operations on polynomials, factoring polynomials, linear equations and inequalities, relations, mappings, functions, function notation, types of functions, inverse functions, composite functions, and graphs of functions.
• Polynomial Functions: Students study general characteristics of polynomial functions, linear functions, quadratic functions, exponential functions, and logarithmic functions.
• Mathematics of Finance: This area focuses on ratio, rate, proportion, profit and loss, percentage change, bills and tariffs, taxation, wages, simple interest, compound interest, future value of an annuity, and present value of an annuity.
• Linear Inequalities and Linear Programming: This includes systems of linear inequalities, linear programming in two variables, and business applications of linear programming.
• Calculus: Students are introduced to differentiation, applications of differentiation, integration, and applications of integration.
• Matrices: This section covers operations on matrices, determinants, inverses (limited to 2x2 matrices), and applications of matrices (Cramer's rule).
• Statistics and Probability: Students learn about data types, data collection, data representation, data analysis (measures of central tendency and dispersion), correlation, regression, permutations, combinations, probability concepts, probability events, Bayes' formula, and normal distribution.

Applications of Mathematics for Coding

This subject integrates mathematics with computer programming, providing students with practical experience in using programming techniques to solve mathematical problems. Key areas include:

• Computer Systems and Skills: Students learn about computer characteristics, components, safe use, societal role, the Windows operating system, computer applications, keyboard and mouse skills, and internet research.
• Introduction to Programming: This covers computer programs, programming languages, programming environments, syntax, syntax errors, the "Hello World!" program, problem-solving methods, algorithms, control structures, decomposition, and abstraction.
• Programming Concepts: Students learn about keywords, variables, constants, identifiers, assignment, comments, data types, operators, order of operations, strings, data structures, exception handling, and input/output.
• Data Structures and Arrays: This section covers data structure concepts, static and dynamic data structures, and arrays.
• Subroutines: Students learn about subroutine concepts, procedures, functions, advantages of subroutines, parameters, subroutine operations, and built-in and user-defined subroutines.
• Searching and Sorting: This covers searching concepts, linear search, binary search, sorting concepts, bubble sort, selection sort, and insertion sort.
• Extended Project: Students undertake an extended programming project, applying the problem-solving method, including defining, designing, coding, testing, debugging, implementing, and maintaining a program.

Mathematics for STEAMM

This subject provides the mathematical foundation for students pursuing STEAMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, Mining & Mathematics) fields. It covers general mathematical topics as well as specialized content for engineering and physical sciences students.

General Topics:

• Number, Algebra, and Geometry: Integers, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio, proportion, rates, powers, roots, approximation, estimation, number bases, indices, surds, sets, algebraic expressions, linear functions, quadratic functions, cubic functions, equations, formulae, algebraic fractions, linear inequalities, quadratic inequalities, relations, mappings, sequences, series, angles, lines, triangles, polygons, congruency, lines of symmetry, rotational symmetry, Pythagoras' theorem, and basic trigonometry.
• Mensuration, Construction, and Circles: Mensuration of 2D and 3D shapes, construction (including loci), and circles.
• Statistics and Probability: Data representation, data analysis, correlation, variance, standard deviation, probability concepts, permutations, combinations, and binomial probability distribution.

Engineering Students Only:

• Logarithms, Inequalities, and Complex Numbers: Logarithms (laws of logarithms without logbook), inequalities in linear programming, logical reasoning, and complex numbers.
• Calculus: Differentiation, applications of differentiation, integration, and applications of integration.
• Vectors and Matrices: Vectors, scalars, properties of vectors, magnitude and direction of vectors, algebra of vectors, triangle law of vector addition, operations on matrices, determinants, inverses (limited to 2x2 matrices), application of matrices (Cramer's rule), and linear transformations.
• Trigonometry and Co-ordinate Geometry: Trigonometric functions and identities, graphs of trigonometric functions, trigonometric identities and proofs, co-ordinate geometry (loci, straight lines, circles, parabolas), angles of elevation/depression, bearings, circle theorems, area of sector and length of arc, similarities, and graphs of trigonometric functions.
• Statics and Dynamics: Resultant and resolving forces, equilibrium of coplanar forces, types of forces (weight, tension, and trust), friction and coefficient of friction, kinematics of a particle (speed, time, distance, velocity, and acceleration), dynamics (moment of inertia, Newton's laws of motion, motion of two connected particles, momentum, impulse, sum of moments, and equilibrium of a lamina).

Physical Sciences Students Only: The syllabus for physical sciences students includes the general topics, logarithms, logical reasoning, calculus, vectors, matrices, statics, kinematics, and dynamics, similar to the engineering students' syllabus, but with some variations in specific content.