The SHS 1 Mathematics curriculum is organised into four main strands and eight sub strands.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) has introduced a revamped Senior High School Year One Mathematics curriculum aimed at transforming how students approach STEM education. NaCCA aims to use this updated framework to move high school students away from theoretical memorization. Instead, it focuses heavily on practical problem solving, critical thinking, and real world application across four foundational learning areas.
SHS 1 Mathematics Curriculum
1. Numbers for Everyday Life
Sub-Strand 1: Real Number System
Learning Outcomes
1.1.1.LO.1: Apply the relationships and differences between the set of rational and irrational numbers and use them to solve problems.
1.1.1.LO.2: Analyse and solve real world problems involving union, intersection and complements of sets and apply these to three sets of problems using simple surveys.
- Rational and irrational numbers
- Relationships and differences between rational and irrational numbers
- Closure property
- Properties of real numbers
- Commutative, associative and distributive properties
- Identity and inverse
- Fractions and decimal representations
- Sets and subsets
- Union, intersection and complements of sets
- Two-set and three-set problems
- Venn diagrams
- Set equations
- De Morgan’s law
- Application of sets to simple surveys
Sub-Strand 2: Proportional Reasoning
Learning Outcomes
1.1.2.LO.1: Make connections between fractions and decimals and use them to solve daily problems.
1.1.2.LO.2: Create strategies for solving problems involving percentages of personal or household finances.
- Fractions and their connection with decimals and percentages
- Operations on fractions
- Additive and multiplicative inverses of fractions
- Rounding off, decimal places and significant figures
- Percentages and percentage change
- Simple interest and compound interest
- Discount, profit, loss and commission
- Tax
- Personal and household financial problems
2. Algebraic Reasoning
Sub-Strand 1: Applications of Expressions, Equations and Inequalities
Learning Outcomes
1.2.1.LO.1: Formulate algebraic expressions using patterns to create models and solve real life problems (e.g., linear and quadratic models).
1.2.1.LO.2: Model and solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable, including problems in real life.
- Algebraic expressions
- Variables and numbers in algebraic expressions
- Mathematical expressions from patterns
- Order of operations in algebra
- Simplification and expansion of algebraic expressions
- Binomial expressions
- Quadratic trinomials
- Factorisation of quadratic trinomials
- Perfect squares
- Difference of two squares
- Algebraic fractions
- Operations involving algebraic fractions
- Conditions for algebraic fractions to be zero or undefined
- Formulae and change of subject
- Linear equations in one variable
- Linear inequalities in one variable
- Solution sets and graphical representation of inequalities
- Applications of equations and inequalities
Sub-Strand 2: Patterns and Relationships
Learning Outcomes
1.2.2.LO.1: Distinguish between relations and functions, determine the rules, then draw graphs of functions and interpret them.
1.2.2.LO.2: Determine the gradient and equation of a straight line and find the distance between two points on a straight line.
- Relations and types of relations
- Functions and types of functions
- Mapping and mapping diagrams
- Input, output, domain, co-domain and range
- Rules for mappings and functions
- Graphs of functions
- Linear functions
- Interpretation of linear graphs
- Gradient of a straight line
- Equation of a straight line
- Coordinates of points
- Midpoint of a line segment
- Distance between two points
- Parallel and perpendicular lines
- Applications of straight lines in real life
3. Geometry Around Us
Sub-Strand 1: Spatial Sense
Learning Outcomes
1.3.1.LO.1: Draw and describe angles of various measures; solve problems on the Pythagorean theorem, parallel lines, perpendicular lines and transversal; use the exterior angle theorem of a triangle and calculate the sums of interior and exterior angles of polygons.
- Types and measurement of angles
- Construction, replication and bisection of angles
- Parallel and perpendicular lines
- Transversals
- Corresponding, vertically opposite and alternate angles
- Interior and exterior angles
- Complementary and supplementary angles
- Exterior angle theorem of a triangle
- Properties of special triangles
- Pythagorean theorem
- Right angled triangles
- Properties of quadrilaterals
- Interior and exterior angles of polygons
Sub-Strand 2: Measurement
Learning Outcomes
1.3.2.LO.1: Interpret information about real-world applications of vectors and recognise vectors with the same magnitude and direction but different positions as equal vectors.
1.3.2.LO.2: Investigate and determine the trigonometric functions of special angles and solve problems using the three primary trigonometric ratios.
1.3.2.LO.3: Identify and compare referents for SI and imperial area measurements, estimate the perimeter and area of 2D shapes [kites, parallelogram, rhombus and trapezoids], and volume of prisms, and solve problems that involve a given regular, composite or irregular 2D shapes.
- Vectors
- Magnitude and direction of vectors
- Position, equal, negative, parallel and orthogonal vectors
- Two-dimensional vectors
- Bearings
- Sine, cosine and tangent
- Primary trigonometric ratios
- Special angles of 30°, 45° and 60°
- Use of calculators for trigonometric values
- Trigonometric functions from 0° to 360°
- Applications of trigonometric ratios
- SI and imperial units of area
- Perimeter and area of regular, composite and irregular shapes
- Perimeter and area of kites, parallelograms, rhombuses and trapezoids
- Conversion between SI and imperial measurements
- Volume of prisms
- Everyday applications of volume
4. Making Sense of and Using Data
Sub-Strand 1: Statistical Reasoning and Its Application in Real Life
Learning Outcomes
1.4.1.LO.1: Decide whether or not a selected data collection method is appropriate given a particular data, justify responses, and collect both qualitative and quantitative data with the appropriate methods.
1.4.1.LO.2: Organise and present data (grouped/ungrouped) using frequency tables, line graphs, pie charts, multiple bar graphs, infographics, etc.; generate 3D graphs/charts with appropriate digital technology (where available) and solve problems on them.
1.4.1.LO.3: Design and execute a project by posing and refining questions to collect, analyse and interpret quantitative and/or qualitative data directly from the school community and beyond, draw useful conclusions and make recommendations.
- Data and types of data
- Primary and secondary data
- Quantitative and qualitative data
- Discrete and continuous data
- Numerical and categorical data
- Grouped and ungrouped data
- Nominal and ordinal data
- Quantitative and qualitative data collection methods
- Surveys and questionnaires
- Interviews and observation
- Existing data, focus groups and oral histories
- Online tracking and social media monitoring
- Frequency tables and frequency distributions
- Line graphs, pie charts and multiple bar graphs
- Infographics and three-dimensional graphs and charts
- Mean, median and mode
- Minimum and maximum values
- Interpretation and inference from data
- Mathematical arguments for decision making
- Data collection and analysis projects
- Use of Excel and presentation software
Sub-Strand 2: Probability/Chance
Learning Outcomes
1.4.2.LO.1: Determine the sample space for simple and compound probability experiments involving independent events; express the probabilities of given events as fractions, decimals, percentages and/or ratios and solve problems everyday life problems.
- Probability and experiments
- Random experiments, trials and outcomes
- Sample spaces and events
- Equally likely and exhaustive events
- Favourable events
- Simple and compound probability experiments
- Independent events
- Conditional probability as a prerequisite to independent events
- Probability of two independent events
- Complementary events
- Additive law of probability for independent events
- Probability expressed as fractions, decimals, percentages and ratios
- Everyday applications of probability
SHS 1 Mathematics Curriculum Structure
| Strand | Sub-Strands |
| 1. Numbers for Everyday Life | Real Number System; Proportional Reasoning |
| 2. Algebraic Reasoning | Applications of Expressions, Equations and Inequalities; Patterns and Relationships |
| 3. Geometry Around Us | Spatial Sense; Measurement |
| 4. Making Sense of and Using Data | Statistical Reasoning and Its Application in Real Life; Probability/Chance |
Curriculum Note
The official Year One structure should be used when identifying SHS 1 Mathematics topics. Topics belonging specifically to later years should not be added simply because they appear elsewhere in the broader SHS Mathematics curriculum.
