PED150: FOUNDATION OF MATHEMATICS FOR PRIMARY EDUCATION

COURSE AIM

The aim of foundation of mathematics for primary education is to enable students develop an in-depth and understanding of logical mathematics, algebra, trigonometry, geometry and elementary calculus up to an elementary level.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate the nature, scope and importance of Mathematics at Primary level.
  • Analyse the textbook and content of Mathematics at Primary level.
  • Explain basic concepts in Arithmetic, algebra, and Geometry.
  • Familiarize facts, terms, concepts, laws and principles in Mathematics.
  • Apply basic concepts of Mathematics in daily life.

Foundation of Mathematics Course Content

SET THEORY

Notation and Presentation of a set.

Set operations: Union, Intersection, and Complement of a set.

Cartesian products

De Morgan’s Law

Binary operations

Boolean Algebra

Application of sets

Arithmetic (Numbers)

Natural, whole, integers, rational, irrational, real numbers

Operations on numbers: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division

Use of brackets

Indices, squares, square roots, cube, cube roots.

Unitary method, variation- direct and inverse

Ratio and proportion

Algebra

Basics of Algebra

Use of letters in place of numbers.

Algebraic expressions, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of algebraic expressions.

Polynomials: factors and multiples.

Identities.

Equations: equations with one variable, linear equations in two variables, quadratic equations.

Geometry (Basics of Geometry)

Basic concepts

Angles, pairs of angles, triangles and quadrilaterals – types &properties.

Triangles- congruence and similarity.

Circle – basic concepts, circumference, area, theorems.

Quadrilaterals – properties of different quadrilaterals, theorems.

Geometric construction

Social and Commercial Arithmetic

Profit and loss.

Percentages

Simple and compound interest

Discount and commission

Statistics –

Methods of Data collection.

Data presentations.

Measures of central tendency.

Measures of dispersion.

Application of Measures of dispersion to solve day-life problems.

Mensuration –

Area of different geometrical figures.

Volumes of different geometrical solids

Co- ordinate geometry.

The Cartesian Graph

Equation of straight line.

Parallel, Collinear and Perpendicular line.

Length and midpoint of a straight Line.

Angle between two straight lines.

SEQUENCES AND SERIES

Sequences and series.

Arithmetic progression.(A.P.)

Geometric progression (G.P.)

Mathematical induction.

Binomial theorem.

COMPUTERS

Introduction to computers.

Flow charts

Decision boxes.

Simple programs.

Mode of Delivery

• Lecture
• Deductive
• Analytic and synthetic
• Discussion
• Seminars
• Presentation
• Projects

Methods of teaching

3 hours of lectures per week

1 hour of tutorial/seminar per week

Assessment

• Coursework                                                               50%
• 2 assignments                          20%
• 2 test                                        30%
• Promotion Examination                                           50%

Total                                                                                                  100%

Prescribed readings

Kanondo, A. (1990). Mathematics 8-12, Pupil’s Book. Lusaka: ZEPH.

Tambulukani, G. (2004). Mathematics RainbowKit (Mark). Lusaka: Primary Reading Program, MoE.

Trivieri, A. L. (1992). Basic Mathematics. New York: Harper Collins.

Recommended readings

Channon, B.J. (1998).New General Mathematics (1-4). London: Longman.

Cockroft, W.H. (1982).Mathematics Counts. London: Longman. Parr, H.E and Shelley, J.R. (1981). Modern Mathematics. London: Bell and Hyman.