Math 30-2 Diploma study guide
Math 30-2 Diploma · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Mathematics 30-2 Diploma is the provincial exit assessment for Alberta's Mathematics 30-2 course, the pathway typically taken by students who need mathematical reasoning, statistics and probability rather than the calculus-oriented Mathematics 30-1 route. It is intended for Alberta high school students completing Mathematics 30-2, along with mature or out-of-province candidates arranging equivalency through the appropriate authority. The exam samples four organizing strands: logical reasoning, probability, relations and functions, and trigonometry, with each strand carrying roughly a quarter of the available marks. That balance rewards breadth, so candidates should treat each strand as equally important rather than over-investing in the algebra-and-function work that dominates classroom time. Topics on this exam: Logical Reasoning, Probability, Relations and Functions, and Trigonometry. The Math 30-2 Diploma study guide has 4 sections and about 1,146 words.
01Logical Reasoning
Logical reasoning on this exam rests on sets, Venn diagrams, and conditional (if–then) statements. Know the vocabulary of set theory: universal set, subset, complement, intersection, union, and disjoint sets. Be able to translate a word problem into a two- or three-circle Venn diagram, fill the innermost region first, and work outward using the totals. For conditionals, know the parts: hypothesis (the "if" clause) and conclusion (the "then" clause).
282 words, about 1 min02Probability
Probability measures how likely an event is, on a scale from 0 to 1. For equally likely outcomes, P(event) = (number of favourable outcomes) / (total outcomes). The complement rule says P(not A) = 1 − P(A). For two events, the addition rule is P(A ∪ B) = P(A) + P(B) − P(A ∩ B); if the events are mutually exclusive, the intersection is zero.
283 words, about 1 min03Relations and Functions
A relation is any set of ordered pairs; a function is a relation in which each input (x-value) has exactly one output (y-value). Use the vertical-line test on a graph and check for repeated x-values with different y-values in a table or set. Know function notation f(x), and be able to evaluate, interpret, and solve equations such as f(x) = k. Understand domain and range, and how they connect to real contexts (time cannot be negative, a population is not fractional).
288 words, about 1 min04Trigonometry
Trigonometry connects angles and side lengths in triangles. In a right triangle, use SOH–CAH–TOA: sin θ = opposite/hypotenuse, cos θ = adjacent/hypotenuse, tan θ = opposite/adjacent. Know the Pythagorean theorem and the fact that the angles in a triangle sum to 180°. Be able to solve for a missing side or angle, and set up problems involving angles of elevation and depression.
293 words, about 1 min