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Mathematics / Year 7 / Number and Algebra / Patterns and algebra

Curriculum content descriptions

Extend and apply the laws and properties of arithmetic to algebraic terms and expressions (ACMNA177)

Elaborations
  • identifying order of operations in contextualised problems, preserving the order by inserting brackets in numerical expressions, then recognising how order is preserved by convention
  • moving fluently between algebraic and word representations as descriptions of the same situation
General capabilities
  • Literacy Literacy
  • Numeracy Numeracy
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and creative thinking
ScOT terms

Distributivity,  Associativity,  Commutativity,  Mathematical expressions

Online

Introduction to algebra

This is a website designed for both teachers and students that addresses the introduction of algebra. It is particularly relevant for introducing the idea of the use of a variable as a way of representing numbers. There are pages for both teachers and students. The student pages contain interactive questions for students ...

Online

The laws of arithmetic and their use in algebra

This is a website designed for both teachers and students that refers to algebraic notation, the laws of arithmetic and the use of these laws in algebra from the Australian Curriculum for year 7 students. It contains material on algebraic notation, the commutative and associative laws, the use of brackets and the orders ...

Text

Mental computation

This is a website designed for both teachers and students that discusses methods of mental computation. In particular, applying the associative, commutative and distributive laws to aid mental and written computation is discussed. These are important ideas for the introduction of algebra. There are pages for both teachers ...

Interactive

Expressions

An animated tutorial with a focus on collecting 'like' terms to simplify expressions. An interactive quiz is included.

Interactive

Terms

An animated tutorial about terms and 'like' terms, followed by an interactive quiz.

Interactive

Squirt: three containers

Examine the relationships between capacities of various containers. Look at three containers that may have different diameters, heights and shapes. Fill a container and squirt liquids between the containers to establish the proportional relationship. Work out the third 'unlinked' relationship from two known relationships. ...

Online

Expressions, formulas and substitution

In the lesson ‘Formulating algebraic expressions’, students were introduced to variables and forming algebraic expressions. In this lesson, students continue to develop these skills and will explore substituting values into familiar and unfamiliar formulas to determine an unknown. Students explore substitution in a range ...

Video

Algebraic equations: video and teaching guide

This video uses an everyday scenario of three people sharing a taxi ride to explore algebraic thinking, and to apply that thinking to a financial context, drawing on reasoning and mathematical modelling. Use the video with the supporting teacher guide as a springboard to explore mathematical concepts. The teacher guide ...

Online

Formulate and manipulate expressions: Year 7 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 7 is for the topic of Formulate and manipulate expressions. Students find unknown quantities in numerical equations involving a combination of operations.

Online

Formulating algebraic expressions

This lesson encompasses students’ introduction to formal algebraic concepts. Students will be introduced to the concept of variables and will explore the construction of algebraic expressions using concrete materials. Students explore a range of authentic contexts and hands-on materials in this lesson to ensure their initial ...

Video

Algebra basics video

Use this video as a springboard to introduce algebraic thinking, and to apply that thinking to a financial context, drawing on reasoning.

Online

Patterns, rules and graphs

In this lesson, students play games and learn about space and location, the Cartesian plane, pattern recognition and reductive reasoning by playing games and thinking. Students create algebraic equations to describe their strategy. Follow this lesson with Graphs: formulas and variables, though both lessons can be taught ...

Online

Graphs: Year 7 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 7 is for the topic of Graphs. Students are introduced to the four-quadrant Cartesian plane. The format of the coordinates should be explained and demonstrated; coordinates do not have to be an integer value.

Online

Finding the shortest path

In this lesson, students will experiment with different ways of creating a path between two points with algorithm design and generalizing patterns. From the patterns, they will be able to generate an algorithm for efficiently traveling through cities in a region.

Video

MathXplosion, Ep 1: Magic 9s

Follow these simple calculations to illustrate the special properties of the number 9. Pick your favourite number between 1 and 9 and multiply that number by 3. Add 3 to your answer. Multiply the result by 3. Treat your two-digit answer as two separate numbers and add them together. No matter what number you pick to start ...

Video

MathXplosion, Ep 33: On the grid

Explore graphs, grids and mapping with a focus on reading and writing location data using coordinate geometry. Grids and maps illustrate the concepts of parallel/perpendicular lines (axes or labelled number lines), ordered pairs and intersection points.

Video

MathXplosion, Ep 11: Fun facts about the number seven

Did you know that the digits on opposite faces of dice will always add up to seven? Use dice as fun tools to reinforce fact families of seven, multiples of seven and subtraction skills.

Video

My Five Cents: What is opportunity cost?

What is the true cost of buying something? Gen Fricker explains that it's more than just money. Learn about opportunity cost - what it is, why it's a helpful tool and when to use it. Simple! Then test yourself with ASIC MoneySmart's "Things to think about" classroom exercises.  

Online

Trade and Investment at a Glance

Using an illustrated report from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, this Teacher guide provides ten learning sequences that engage students in the analysis and interpretation of data about Australian imports and exports. Students: identify Australia's major exports and imports; investigate international trade ...

Video

MathXplosion, Ep 22: How to communicate numbers with Roman numerals

Explore an alternative way to communicate numbers using the anchor numbers 5 and 10 and the ancient Roman counting system based on letters. Roman numerals were used throughout Europe well into the middle ages and still appear in the names of monarchs, the production year of films, on buildings and on timepieces.