Zimbabwe Form 4 Mathematics Curriculum

This document outlines the Zimbabwe Form 4 Mathematics Curriculum. It is based on the syllabus provided by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. The curriculum aims to equip learners with mathematical knowledge and skills, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities applicable to various learning areas and everyday life. It emphasizes learner-centered teaching methodologies and the integration of ICT tools.

Curriculum Aims

The curriculum aims to enable learners to:

• Develop an understanding of mathematical concepts and processes, encouraging confidence and interest.
• Acquire relevant mathematical skills and knowledge.
• Develop clear thinking, meticulous work habits, and effective communication of mathematical ideas.
• Apply mathematics in other learning areas and real-life situations.
• Appreciate the role of mathematics in personal, community, and national development.
• Demonstrate engagement, perseverance, collaboration, and intellectual honesty in mathematical tasks, upholding the values of Unhu/Ubuntu/Vumunhu.
• Utilize ICT tools for problem-solving.

Curriculum Content

The Form 4 Mathematics curriculum covers a wide range of topics, building upon the concepts learned in previous forms. These topics include:

• Real Numbers: Order of operations, irrational numbers, number patterns, significant figures, estimations, limits of accuracy, ratios, proportions, rates, operations in standard form, operations in number bases (base 2 to base 10), and scale factor.
• Sets: Set builder notation, Venn diagrams with three subsets.
• Financial Mathematics: Foreign exchange, sales and income tax rates (PAYE), Value Added Tax (VAT), and Customs and Excise Duty.
• Measures and Mensuration: Area and volumes of solid shapes, surface area, density.
• Graphs: Cubic graphs, inverse graphs, displacement-time graphs, and velocity-time graphs.
• Variation: Joint variation and partial variation.
• Algebra: Algebraic fractions, quadratic expressions, factorization, completing the square, quadratic formula, and linear programming.
• Geometry: Angles of elevation and depression, compass bearing, circle theorems, construction of diagrams to scale, and loci.
• Statistics: Frequency tables, frequency polygons, cumulative frequency tables and curves, median from cumulative frequency curve, range, quartiles, interquartile range, and semi-interquartile range.
• Trigonometry: Cosine rule, sine rule, area of triangles, and three-dimensional problems.
• Vectors: Vector properties of plane shapes.
• Matrices: Reflection, rotation, enlargement, stretch, and shear using matrices.
• Transformation: Reflection in any line using matrices, rotation using matrices, enlargement using matrices about any point, one-way and two-way stretch using matrices, and shear using matrices.
• Probability: Combined events, outcome tables, tree diagrams, probability rules, and application of probability.

Assessment

Assessment for Form 4 Mathematics comprises 30% continuous assessment and 70% summative assessment.

Continuous Assessment:

• Topic tasks (one per term)
• Written tests (two per term)
• End-of-term examinations (one per term)
• Project (one covering Forms 3-4)

Summative Assessment:

• Paper 1: 2.5 hours, 100 marks, short structured questions covering all topics.
• Paper 2: 2.5 hours, 100 marks, consisting of Section A (5 compulsory questions) and Section B (7 long questions, answer 4).

This curriculum structure ensures a comprehensive understanding of mathematical principles and their practical applications, preparing students for further studies and real-world problem-solving.