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

Curriculum content descriptions

Introduce the concept of variables as a way of representing numbers using letters (ACMNA175)

Elaborations
  • understanding that arithmetic laws are powerful ways of describing and simplifying calculations and that using these laws leads to the generality of algebra
General capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and creative thinking
ScOT terms

Pronumerals

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Video

Patterns, primes and Pascal's Triangle

Are you intrigued by patterns? Check out Vi Hart as she explains how to visualise patterns in prime numbers, using Ulam's Spiral. Watch as Vi creates patterns, using Pascal's Triangle to explore relationships in number. See what happens when she circles the odd numbers. What rule does she use to create the final pattern?

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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.

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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.