Mathematics / Year 10 / Algebra

Curriculum content descriptions

expand, factorise and simplify expressions and solve equations algebraically, applying exponent laws involving products, quotients and powers of variables, and the distributive property (AC9M10A01)

Elaborations
  • explaining the relationship between factorisation and expansion, including the completed square form for quadratic expressions
  • applying knowledge of exponent laws to algebraic terms and using both positive and negative integral exponents to simplifying algebraic expressions and solve equations algebraically
General capabilities
  • Numeracy Numeracy
ScOT terms

Distributivity,  Binocular vision,  Indices,  Algebraic terms,  Equations

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Factorising Quadratics and Solving - Calculate

This activity explores the properties of the family of functions and their graphs known as parabolas. The unit includes an AMSI Interactive online module, a range of other AMSI Schools and external links and video tutorials and some extension or enrichment ideas to take their understanding further. A short quiz at the end ...

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Geometry of water sources and landforms

Indigenous cultures have always been deeply aware of the location of water and its significance. In this resource students will apply geometric, trigonometric, and algebraic techniques to analyse idealised water body shapes and associated landforms. They will calculate surface areas, volumes, angles, and heights of these ...

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The Mathematics of Projectiles - Calculate

This activity provides a practical introduction to the motion of projectiles with a focus on angles. It is designed as a lead in to parabolic and quadratic functions.

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reSolve: Pythagoras' Theorem - Bent bamboo

This lesson challenges students to use Pythagoras' Theorem to solve a problem from an ancient Chinese text. They make physical models of the problem and use this to construct a graph. They use algebra skills associated with binomial expansions and simplification of fractions to show that the general solution given in the ...

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reSolve: Algebra: Sums & Differences of Squares

This sequence of three lessons explores sums and differences of two squares. Students are introduced to the historical context of using lookup tables for multiplications and challenged to investigate and generalise the underlying process using algebraic means. In subsequent lessons students use visual and algebraic methods ...

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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 ...

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.

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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.

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 ...

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reSolve: Real World Algebra: Quadratic Functions

This sequence of three lessons explores different representations of quadratic functions, with particular emphasis on turning points in quadratic graphs. Students use images of trajectories, inscribe their own curves using Geogebra and then further explore the algebraic representation of their curves. Each lesson is outlined ...

Interactive

Laptop wrap: Parallelendicular

Students construct a series of GeoGebra applets that investigate the parameters gradient and intercepts of straight lines. They reinforce this knowledge with Microsoft Math 3.0. 

Video

What are pixels?

Meet Kevin Systrom and Piper Hanson as they explain how digital images work. What are pixels, those tiny dots of light, made from? How are colours created and represented? What does Kevin say about the way mathematical functions are used to create different image filters. What is the difference between image resolution ...

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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.  

Interactive

Desmos Graphing Calculator - Google Play app

Plot functions, create tables, add sliders and animate your graphs. Touch points of interest on the graph to show maximums, minimums and points of intersection. Type in an equation and watch the calculator solve the problem.

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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.

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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.

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Solving Linear Equations - Calculate

This unit of work focuses on solving linear equations. It includes an AMSI Interactive online module, a range of other AMSI Schools and external links and video tutorials and some extension or enrichment ideas. A short quiz at the end of the AMSI Interactive will help students to test their understanding at the completion ...

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TIMES Module 8: Statistics and Probability: data investigation and interpretation, year 10 - teacher guide

This is a 29-page guide for teachers. Box plots are introduced as another graphical tool and are used for comparisons of data. Scatter plots are used to explore relationships between quantitative (usually continuous) variables.

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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.

Video

MathXplosion, Ep 15: How many times can a sheet of paper be folded?

Why can a regular sheet of paper be folded only about six times? By folding a sheet of paper in half, over and over, the number of layers and the thickness of the paper doesn’t just double, they increase exponentially. Find out how many times a sheet of paper can actually be folded!