QCAA General Maths EA study guide
QCAA General Maths EA · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The QCAA General Mathematics EA is the external assessment for the General Mathematics General senior syllabus in Queensland. The page identifies the current syllabus as the General Mathematics General senior syllabus 2025 (v1.3), for implementation with students who will complete their study of the course in 2026 or beyond. It is a General senior subject, so it suits students building a two-year mathematics course that leads to a Queensland Certificate of Education and can contribute to an ATAR. The published assessment structure is two papers: Paper 1, made up of a multiple choice question book and a question and response book, and Paper 2, a question and response book. QCAA publishes an approved scientific calculator list and a General Mathematics 2025 formula book as associated material, so candidates should confirm which calculator is permitted and practise with the formula book they will be given. Preparation should be built around the syllabus, the formula book and the released past papers from 2020 to 2025, each with a marking guide. Topics on this exam: Unit 3 and Unit 4. The QCAA General Maths EA study guide has 2 sections and about 769 words.
01Unit 3: Bivariate Data, Sequences and Earth Geometry
Unit 3 links statistics, recursion and measurement. For bivariate data , you must be able to construct a scatterplot, describe association (direction, form, strength) and interpret the correlation coefficient r (between −1 and 1; sign gives direction, magnitude gives strength). Know that correlation measures linear association only, and that a strong r does not prove causation. Be able to find the least-squares regression line y = a + bx, use it for prediction, and distinguish interpolation from extrapolation.
389 words, about 2 min02Unit 4: Investments, Loans, Annuities and Networks
Unit 4 applies recurrence relations to finance and introduces graph theory. For compound interest , use A = P(1 + r)ⁿ where r is the interest rate per period and n the number of periods; match the compounding period to the rate (e.g. monthly rate = annual/12). Understand effective annual rate as a way to compare investments with different compounding frequencies.
380 words, about 2 minMore study resources for QCAA General Maths EA
- Practice questionsA bivariate data set has a correlation coefficient of r = -0.92.
- FlashcardsPearson correlation coefficient. A number between -1 and 1 describing the direction and strength of a linear association between two quantitative variables; sign gives direction, magnitude gives strength.
- Cheat sheetPearson correlation r measures strength of linear association: -1 ≤ r ≤ 1; r near 0 means weak linear association, not necessarily no association.
- Key termsBivariate data. Data recorded in pairs on two variables for each individual, so that the relationship between the variables can be examined, for example height and shoe size measured on the same people.
- Study planMap every Unit 3 topic into a one-page formula and concept sheet, writing each rule from memory before checking it.
- Common mistakesStudents treat r as an automatic first step because it is the most practised calculation, and the formula gives a number for any data set, so nothing flags non-linearity.
- Exam-day guideBring a calculator on the QCAA approved list and make sure it is charged or has fresh batteries.