Zimbabwe Form 3 Mathematics Curriculum

This information is based on the Zimbabwe Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Mathematics Syllabus for Forms 1-4 (2015-2022).

The Form 3 Mathematics curriculum builds upon the concepts and skills learned in Forms 1 and 2, further developing mathematical understanding and problem-solving abilities. The curriculum emphasizes the practical application of mathematics in other learning areas and in everyday life.

Topics Covered in Form 3

The Form 3 syllabus covers the following topics:

1. Real Numbers:

• Order of operations
• Irrational numbers
• Number patterns
• Ratios, rates, and proportions
• Operations in standard form
• Operations in number bases (base 2 to base 10)
• Scale factor and area factor

2. Sets:

• Set builder notation
• Venn diagrams with up to three subsets

3. Financial Mathematics:

• Bank statements
• Compound interest
• Commission
• Hire purchase

4. Measures and Mensuration:

• Perimeter of combined shapes
• Area of combined shapes
• Volume of cylinders

5. Graphs:

• Functional notation
• Linear graphs
• Quadratic graphs
• Distance-time graphs
• Speed-time graphs

6. Variation:

• Direct and inverse variation
• Sketching graphs of variations

7. Algebra:

• Algebraic fractions
• Highest Common Factor (HCF) and Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) of algebraic expressions
• Quadratic expressions
• Factorization
• Simultaneous equations (elimination, substitution, graphical methods)
• Quadratic equations (factorization, graphical methods)
• Change of subject of formulae
• Substitution of values
• Simultaneous linear inequalities
• Graphs of inequalities

8. Geometry:

• Angles of elevation and depression
• Three-figure bearing and compass bearing
• Properties of polygons
• Angles of polygons
• Number of sides of polygons
• Scale factor, area of similar figures, volume and mass of similar solids
• Construction of triangles and quadrilaterals
• Rotational symmetry in two dimensions

9. Statistics:

• Collection and classification of grouped data
• Frequency tables, bar charts, pie charts, histograms, frequency polygons
• Mean, median, and mode of grouped data
• Assumed mean

10. Trigonometry:

• Pythagoras' theorem
• Pythagorean triples
• Trigonometric ratios of acute and obtuse angles (sine, cosine, tangent)

11. Vectors:

• Translation vectors, negative vectors, equal vectors, parallel vectors, position vectors
• Addition, subtraction, scalar multiplication, magnitude of vectors, combined vector operations

12. Matrices:

• Addition, subtraction, scalar multiplication, and multiplication of matrices
• Determinants of 2x2 matrices
• Singular and non-singular matrices
• Inverse of a 2x2 matrix
• Solving simultaneous equations using matrices

13. Transformation:

• Translation using vectors
• Reflection in lines (x-axis, y-axis, y=a, x=b)
• Rotation using geometric methods
• Enlargement about the origin and any point using a rational scale

14. Probability:

• Experimental and theoretical probability
• Single events
• Probability rules
• Application of probability

This detailed outline provides a comprehensive overview of the Zimbabwe Form 3 Mathematics curriculum. It is designed to equip learners with the necessary mathematical skills and knowledge for success in their academic pursuits and future endeavors.