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Mathematics / Year 9 / Number and Algebra / Patterns and algebra

Curriculum content descriptions

Extend and apply the index laws to variables, using positive integer indices and the zero index (ACMNA212)

Elaborations
  • understanding that index laws apply to variables as well as numbers
General capabilities
  • Numeracy Numeracy
ScOT terms

Zero index,  Pronumerals,  Positive indices

Interactive

Laptop wrap: Expanding on algebra

Students make a presentation on the index laws, investigate the visual representation of the binomial expansions and design an acronym to help recall the special products. 

Online

TIMES Module 32: Number and Algebra: fractions and the index laws in algebra - teacher guide

This is a 24-page guide for teachers. This module extends the use of pronumerals to include algebraic fractions. It includes substitution, adding like terms, the use of brackets and multiplying terms, the use of algebra to describe number patterns and extending the use of the index laws. Algebraic notation is discussed.

Downloadable

Understanding compound interest

In this lesson students learn how compound interest works. They explore the difference between simple interest and compound interest, apply compund interest to saving scenarios and calculate the outcomes from different deposit plans with compund interest applied. They then go on to consider the impact of compound interest ...

Online

Use variables: Year 9 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 9 is for the topic of Use variables. Students apply and extend their knowledge and skills of exponent laws to simplify or expand numeric and algebraic expressions and solve equations.

Text

A Little Atmosphere

This activity invites students to model the scaled thickness of the atmosphere on a globe using sheets of transparency material. The activity includes a list of tools and materials required, what to do and notice, an explanation for the underlying science of what students observe and suggestions for further activities.

Text

Inverse-square law

This activity invites students to explore why the world gets dark so fast outside the circle of the campfire. Using simple equipment, students can investigate the inverse square relationship for light spreading out over an area. The activity includes a list of tools and materials required, assembly instructions, what to ...

Downloadable

Algebra: Foundation to Year 9

This comprehensive resource describes the progression of algebra-related ideas and algebraic thinking. The resource demonstrates examples of relevant teaching strategies, investigations, activity plans and connected concepts in algebra including teaching and cultural implications.

Video

MathXplosion, Ep 7: The power of exponents

Have you heard of the term "exponential growth"? Growth can occur very quickly when powers are involved. See how you can use the power of two to rapidly increase the amount of anything from grain to coins!

Video

Mystery man Pythagoras meets his match

What do you know about Pythagoras? Join Vi Hart as she not only explains his theorem but raises some legends about his dark past! Follow Vi's timeline of famous mathematicians to find out in which century Pythagoras lived. See how Vi shows a proof of his theorem and raises what was a big dilemma for Pythagoras: the irrational ...

Online

Secondary mathematics: using real data

These seven learning activities, which focus on the use of 'real data' using a variety of tools (software) and devices (hardware), illustrate the ways in which content, pedagogy and technology can be successfully and effectively integrated in order to promote learning. In the activities, teachers use the three content strands ...

Online

TIMES Module 33: Number and Algebra: factorisation - teacher guide

This is a 17-page guide for teachers. It continues the discussion of factorisation. In particular, the techniques for the factorisation of quadratic expressions are presented.

Online

TIMES Module 36: Number and Algebra: formulas - teacher guide

This is a 13-page guide for teachers. It introduces the use of formulas, and includes substitution and the solution of the resulting equations.

Interactive

Algebra four

This is an interactive game for two students in which they solve algebraic equations, similar to 'Connect four'. The players can choose from problems that are one- or two-step, quadratic, have distributive properties or have variables on both sides, and more than one problem type can be chosen. The length of time each player ...

Online

TIMES Module 31: Number and Algebra: indices and logarithms - teacher guide

This is a 26-page guide for teachers. It extends the study of indices to rational indices and introduces logarithms.

Online

TIMES Module 22: Measurement and Geometry: scale drawings and similarity - teacher guide

This is a 41-page guide for teachers. It contains an introduction to scale drawings and similarity, and in particular the tests for triangles to be considered similar. Applications of similarity are included throughout the module.

Online

Scientific notation

This is a website designed for both teachers and students that addresses scientific notation from the Australian Curriculum for year 9 students. It contains material on scientific notation using index laws and multiplication, division and indices. There are pages for both teachers and students. The student pages contain ...

Online

reSolve: Algebra: Think of a number- Binomial Equations

This lesson engages students in investigating a 'think of a number' game and then model it visually and algebraically. This develops skills in algebraic operations including expanding, factorising and collecting like terms. Students investigate whether the game will work for any number and are challenged to generate the ...

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

Indices

This is a website designed for both teachers and students that addresses indices from the Australian Curriculum for year 9 students. It contains material on indices and explains the index laws and their use with integer indices. There are pages for both teachers and students. The student pages contain interactive questions ...

Online

TIMES Module 34: Number and Algebra: quadratic equations - teacher guide

This is a 19-page guide for teachers. It introduces quadratic equations and methods for solving them.