Mathematics / Year 4 / Number and Algebra / Patterns and algebra

Curriculum content descriptions

Explore and describe number patterns resulting from performing multiplication (ACMNA081)

Elaborations
  • identifying examples of number patterns in everyday life
General capabilities
  • Numeracy Numeracy
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and creative thinking
ScOT terms

Multiplication,  Number patterns

Video

What is a fractal?

Do you know what a fractal is? Basically, fractals are never-ending patterns created by repeated mathematical equations. In this clip, Yuliya, a student at MIT (in the USA) describes the properties of fractals and shows you where they can be found in technology and nature. Have a good look at the world around you and see ...

Video

Fun with fractals

Do you know how to recognise a fractal? Watch this video to find out! What are the examples given of fractals found in nature? Can you think of any others? Why not have a go at doing your own drawing of the Sierpinski Triangle?

Interactive

Sites2See: Patterns and Algebra

Selected links to a range of interactive online resources for the study of patterns and algebra in Foundation to Year 6 Mathematics.

Text

Pass The Count - Calculate

This game allows students to practice their skip counting skills in small groups.

Interactive

Circus towers: square stacks

Work out how many acrobats are needed to form square-shaped human towers. Start by building a square tower with four acrobats: two acrobats in the base layer and two acrobats standing on their shoulders. Examine a table and graph of the total number of acrobats in the towers. Predict the number of acrobats needed to build ...

Interactive

Fraction basics - Easy & Effective Fractions Tutor - iTunes app

Learn about the core concepts of fractions through 12 animated clips. View the clips on the topic that you want to learn about. These clips will help build a string foundation in fractions. Free when reviewed on 12/5/2015.

Interactive

The multiplier: go figure

This tutorial is suitable for use with a screen reader. It explains strategies for solving complex multiplications in your head such as 22x38. Work through sample questions and instructions explaining how to use partitioning techniques. Solve multiplications by breaking them up into parts that are easy to work with, use ...

Interactive

The difference bar: go figure

This tutorial is suitable for use with a screen reader. It explains how to split up numbers in your head when finding the difference between two numbers such as 26 and 73. Work through sample questions and instructions explaining how to use linear partitioning techniques. Find the difference between pairs of numbers. Split ...

Video

Numbers Count: What are factors?

What are factors? Watch as the jelly babies in this clip show you! What are the factors of 12? How many factors does the number 11 have? Try explaining to a friend what a prime number is.

Interactive

Divide it up: puppies

Use a dividing tool to make equal shares of biscuits and toys in a pet shop. For example, share 34 biscuits equally between 6 puppies. Predict how many items each puppy will get, or how many packets can be filled. Check your prediction. Decide what to do with any leftovers. Complete a sentence describing the number operations.

Interactive

Divide it up: grouping tool

Use a dividing tool to make equal shares of stationery such as pens, pencils or crayons. Complete a sentence describing a number operation. For example, pack 24 crayons into packets of 5. Predict how many packets are needed and identify how many items are left over.

Video

Mixed Up Maths, Ep 1: Monumental measurement mess ups

Did you know that in Australia we use a metric system for measurement? See if you know the units of measurement for length, mass and volume. Find out what system the United States uses. You guessed it - they don't use the metric system! See how a mix up of these units can cause all kinds of mess ups.

Video

MathXplosion, Ep 42: Maths in nature

Maths can be found in living things and natural structures. Explore mathematical patterns in nature, such as the tessellating hexagonal units of a honeycomb, the bilateral symmetry of a leaf, the radial symmetry of a snowflake and spiderweb, and the number of right or left spirals on a pinecone or pineapple (Fibonacci numbers).

Video

MathXplosion, Ep 6: Zero the hero

What is the role of zero as a placeholder for large numbers such as 1 million, 1 billion and 1 trillion? Find out about the notion of place value and powers of ten through the act of bead counting.

Interactive

Cassowary ecology quiz

Explore facts about the life of cassowaries: physical characteristics; diet; habitat; life cycles; and locations. Interact with graphs to see how much people can help cassowaries. Work through ecology notes and resources. Answer questions as you go; express your answers as fractions. This learning object is one in a series ...

Text

The Power of Ten - Calculate

This activity aims to improve student fluency in mentally multiplying and dividing numbers by 10, 100 and 1000.

Text

Factors and Multiples - Calculate

These games and activities require children to identify factors and multiples to help children become more familiar with these terms. This understanding will support children’s ability to solve problems, including knowing how to add fractions with different denominators.

Text

Space Race Game (Introducing Algorithmic Thinking) - Calculate

Space Race is a simple board game that teachers can use to introduce the concept of algorithmic sequencing to students. The teaching points provided with the game assist teachers to introduce the use of an algorithm (a simple set of mathematical instructions) to describe the trajectory of an object across a grid plane from ...

Online

TIMES Module 3: Number and Algebra: multiplication and division - teacher guide

This is a 23-page guide for teachers. This module contains a description of suitable models for multiplication, a discussion of the type of problem phrased in words that requires multiplication for its solution, and mental and written strategies for multiplication. The use of the commutative, associative and distributive ...

Online

TIMES Module 1: Number and Algebra: counting and place value - teacher guide

This is a 16-page guide for teachers. It is a module introducing the concept of place value.