Choice of mathematics

Vg1 – practical or theoretical mathematics?

Mathematics is mandatory on Vg1. The general studies education programmes have 140 hours (5 teaching hours a week) mathematics, while the vocational education programmes have 84 hours (3 teaching hours a week). You must choose either mathematics 1P or 1T.

P stands for «practical»

• Mathematics 1P continues with the topic areas you studied in lower secondary school. You will learn to solve mathematical tasks that are based on practical situations from everyday life and societal and working life, for example percentages, economics and area.
• Mathematics 1P is suitable for students who know that they do not want to study mathematics in-depth or do not intend to take science subjects later.
  

T stands for «theoretical»

• Mathematics 1T gives an introduction to mathematical topics that require a deeper understanding. You will study in-depth such topics as numbers and algebra, geometry, statistics and probability, combinatorics and functions.
• You should choose  mathematics 1T at the Vg1 level if you are intending to take science subjects at the Vg2 and Vg3 levels or if you are planning to choose mathematics R1 or mathematics X as a programme subject. (If you should nonetheless decide to take mathematics 1P in Vg1, it will be your responsibility to ensure that you have sufficient competence for being able to carry on with science subjects at the Vg2 and Vg3 levels.)
  

General studies Vg2 – Mathematics as a common core subject or as a programme subject?

In all education programmes qualifying for university or college studies, mathematics is a compulsory subject in Vg2. You must choose either mathematics as a common core subject (mathematics 2P)) or as a programme subject (mathematics R1/S1).

Mathematics as common core subject (2P)

• The common core subject mathematics 2P is the normal choice for you who have had mathematics 1P at the Vg1 level, and is suitable for students who want to complete mathematics at the end of Vg2.
• Mathematics 2P has a scope of 84 teaching hours (three teaching hours per week)
  

Mathematics as programme subject (R or S)

• You should choose mathematics as a programme subject if, for example, you want to study science subjects or economics later.
• You choose between mathematics R1 or mathematics S1.
• If you want to choose R mathematics at Vg2 and Vg3, you have to have mathematics 1T at the Vg1 level.
• Mathematics as a programme subject has a scope of 140 teaching hours (five teaching hours a week).
• If you choose mathematics as a programme subject, you will have to replace the common core subject mathematics 2P with an extra programme subject.
  

Vg2/Vg3 – mathematics R or S?

If you choose mathematics as a programme subject, you have two choices: mathematics for science subjects (R-mathematics) or mathematics for social science (S-mathematics).

Mathematics for science subjects (R1 og R2)

• You will learn about geometry, algebra, functions, combinatorics, probability and differential equations.
• You should choose mathematics for sciences subjects if you want to take higher education in science or technology subjects.
• Some studies in computer science, science subjects, and nature and environmental subjects require mathematics R2.
  

Mathematics for social science (S1 og S2)

• You learn about algebra, functions, probability, linear optimisation and statistics.
• With mathematics S1 and S2 you qualify for some studies in science subjects.
  

Replacement of the common core subject mathematics 2P

If you choose mathematics as a programme subject, you cannot have 84 teaching hours of mathematics 2P as a common core subject. This means that you must replace the common core subject mathematics 2P with one of these subjects:

• An elective programme subject of 140 teaching hours from an education programme qualifying for university or college studies.
  The elective programme subjects from education programmes qualifying for university or college studies have five teaching hours per week, and you will thus have surplus teaching hours.
• Mathematics X with 84 teaching hours.
  This subject builds on mathematics 1T (theoretical studies) from Vg1. It is an independent subject designed especially for students choosing mathematics R1.
• Geosciences X with 84 teaching hours.
  You can only choose this subject if you do not choose geosciences 1 as a programme subject. The subjects overlap.
• Technology and theory of research X with 84 teaching hours.
  You can only choose this subject if you do not choose technology and theory of research 1 as a programme subject. The subjects overlap.
• Programming and modelling X with 84 teaching hours.
  This subject builds on mathematics 1T (theoretical) from Vg1. It is an independent subject which has been designed for you who have chosen mathematics R1.