Mathematics / Year 7 / Number and Algebra / Money and financial mathematics

Curriculum content descriptions

Investigate and calculate 'best buys', with and without digital technologies (ACMNA174)

Elaborations
  • applying the unitary method to identify ‘best buys’ situations, such as comparing the cost per 100g
General capabilities
  • Literacy Literacy
  • Numeracy Numeracy
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and creative thinking
  • ICT capability Information and Communication Technology (ICT) capability
ScOT terms

Proportions,  Purchasing,  Unit cost

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.  

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 ...

Online

Tax, Super + You

Tax, Super + You is designed to provide teachers and parents with practical resources to help students in Years 7-12 understand the value of tax and superannuation, and have confidence when entering the workforce. Registration for a free account is required to access the full suite of materials.

Online

Practical numbers: Part 2

In this lesson we use the context of an ancient bazaar to investigate measurement systems. Students select a name and base number for their system of measurement, using weights made from clay or similar material. They divide their clay into possible unit fractions to generate their set of weights. They assign a fictional ...

Online

Graphs: formulas and variables

In this lesson, students use algebra and linear equations to model two real-world scenarios to find information to make the best choice. Students set the aim of saving for a mobile phone (or similar goal) and use linear equations to model the pay rates of two part-time jobs to help make the better decision. This lesson ...

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 ...

Video

Proportional reasoning video

Use this video as a springboard to explore scaling or proportional thinking, and to apply that thinking in a food context, drawing on reasoning and mathematical modelling.

Online

Mathematical modelling (Number): Year 7 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 7 is for the topic of Mathematical modelling. Students use knowledge of the other topics in the Number strand, so that applying knowledge and skills can be modelled. This can be done in groups or as a whole class, as well as individually. Collaborative learning works well for practical problems.

Online

Practical numbers: Part 1

In this lesson, students explore standardised measuring systems. They encounter the challenge of a shopkeeper who must determine how to weigh different quantities of spices most efficiently. Working in a financial context, students model this scenario using fractions, percentages and ratios, and communicate their solution ...

Online

Estimating and rounding decimals

In this lesson, students draw on prior knowledge of rounding whole numbers to develop their understanding and fluency when rounding decimals and are encouraged to reason and problem-solve through a variety of contextual activities. Students will also develop an appreciation of the role of estimation in mathematics and science.

Online

Expressing one quantity as a fraction of a second

This is a website designed for both teachers and students that addresses the expression of one quantity as a fraction of a second quantity from the Australian Curriculum for year 7 students. It contains material on using the unitary method to solve fraction problems. There are pages for both teachers and students. The student ...

Video

Catalyst: Graham's number

If you were asked what the biggest number you can think of is, what would you say? Infinity? Well, what about the biggest finite number you can think of? Mathematician Ron Graham came across such a gigantic number in his research that, to capture its massive size, he and his colleagues needed to come up with new methods ...

Online

Australia's population: countries of birth - dataset

The dataset provides statistics about the estimated resident population, median age and sex ratio by countries of birth for the latest year of available data. It is periodically updated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The dataset is included in the list of related datasets on the page in MS Excel format.

Online

TIMES Module 17: Number and Algebra: the unitary method - teacher guide

This is an 18-page guide for teachers. This module introduces the idea of ratios and rates.

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

My Five Cents: Why borrowing can cost you more

Think credit cards are basically free money? Gen Fricker will make you think again. Learn how interest rates and fees affect the money you borrow, and why they may be more expensive in the long run. Oh dear! Then test yourself with ASIC MoneySmart's "Things to think about" classroom exercises.  

Text

Addition and subtraction of fractions

This is a website designed for both teachers and students that addresses addition and subtraction of fractions. There are pages for both teachers and students. The student pages contain interactive questions for students to check their progress in the topics.

Video

Catalyst: Small scale measurements

What units of measurements do we use to describe incredibly small things like blood cells and atoms? Watch as you are taken on a journey to explain the different units of measurement that we use to describe the very small.

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

MathXplosion, Ep 50: How to use a tetrahedron to solve the tree problem

How can you place four trees exactly the same distance apart from one other? By making a model! By using miniature trees to make a model of the problem, it becomes clear that a 2D solution is impossible. We learn how objects can help us visualise the problem situation, which in this case requires a 3D solution: a tetrahedron.