Seminar on the Secondary Mathematics Curriculum at Key Stage 4

CHIANG Kin-nam

February 2004

Loci and Equations

Comparison between Old and New syllabi in treating this topic

Syllabus for Mathematics (Forms I-V) CDC 1985

Content

1. Establishing the concept of locus

2. Construction of loci within a plane

3. Equation of a circle

4. Intersection of a straight line and a circle

Syllabuses For Secondary Schools Mathematics Secondary 1-5

Content

1. Qualitative Treatment of Locus

2. Coordinate Treatment of Simple Locus Problems (Straight lines and Circles)

Teaching Emphasis

CDC 1985 Teachers are advised to use practical ways

in helping students to establish the concept of locus. This is mentioned in the notes on teaching.

Construction of loci As a basis for studying simple conics

Teaching Emphasis

Mathematics Sec. 1-5 (1999) Intuitive understanding of loci through

exploring, sketching, visualizing and describing in words the locus of points moving under a condition or conditions

Formally describe loci with equations by using the idea of slope and distance between two points. ( Coordinate treatment )

Teaching Strategies

Provide students with plenty of examples to work on. Students find out that the path traced out by a moving point could be a straight line, a circle etc.,

Cooperative Learning Strategy Use of IT provides a dynamic and

interactive way for students in learning this topic.

Some suggestions

I II