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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

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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.

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 ...

Interactive

Terms

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

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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

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

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.

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

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.

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 ...

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.

Video

Comparing fuel consumption

Is it more fuel efficient to drive or fly between two places? Watch this clip and learn how to calculate the answer. What are the various factors that need to be taken into account? This video was made using the American measurement of gallons per hour, American firgures for the average number of passengers in a car and ...

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 ...

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Mixing Lemonade

This resource is a web page containing an interactive task to explore ratios and proportions. Compare different mixtures of lemonade and develop a strategy for deciding which is stronger each time. The task requires students to apply their understanding of ratio and proportions. A 'Getting started' page, 'Solution' and ...

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Can you find your eight’s optimal training regime?

This resource is a web page containing an interactive resource to investigate the effect on a time trial or race after changes to a training regime. This is a useful resource to discuss how to conduct a fair test and get reliable data. Record results from trials in a table to analyse results. This resource is an activity ...

Online

reSolve: Paint with Numbers

This sequence of three lessons explores ratios through the context of mixing paint. Students investigate how ratios express a multiplicative relationship between two measures and under what conditions the proportions remain constant when the numerical values of both quantities change. The lessons are outlined in detail ...

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 ...