Mathematics / Year 10 / Algebra

Curriculum content descriptions

use mathematical modelling to solve applied problems involving growth and decay, including financial contexts; formulate problems, choosing to apply linear, quadratic or exponential models; interpret solutions in terms of the situation; evaluate and modify models as necessary and report assumptions, methods and findings (AC9M10A04)

Elaborations
  • modelling situations and choosing between linear, quadratic and exponential models by representing relationships in a table of values and recognising that linear functions have constant first differences, quadratic functions have constant second differences and exponential functions have a constant ratio between consecutive values of the dependent variable
  • modelling situations involving exponential growth and decay, and contrasting this with linear growth or decay; for example, situations involving constant percentage change and constant ratio; determining doubling time and half-life and approximate intervals for which the values of the model lie within a given range
  • modelling situations that involve working with authentic information, data and interest rates to calculate compound interest and solve related problems
  • modelling and investigating how exponential equations are used in carbon dating to estimate the age of First Nations Australians’ artefacts or material culture
  • modelling and formulating situations involving population growths of native animals on Country/Place with varying reproductive behaviour, using exponential equations and critiquing their applicability to real-world situations
General capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Numeracy Numeracy
ScOT terms

Critical thinking,  Exponential functions,  Functions and relations,  Mathematical problem solving

Interactive

Isotopes and Atomic Mass

This interactive simulation explores isotopes and how the average atomic mass of an element changes given a change in the abundance of its isotopes. In a series of simulations students explore the stability of various isotopes and investigate how this relates to the proportions of isotopes in naturally occurring elements. ...

Interactive

Build a Nucleus

This interactive simulation explores isotopes and nuclear decay. In a series of simulations students explore how the changing the number of neutrons or protons affects the atomic number and isotope; investigate and predict how the shell model depiction of an isotope based on the isotope symbol or name; and predict the resulting ...

Text

Investing

This lesson explores what investing is, different types of investments and their risks, how to invest safely and where to begin. The resource is part of a suite of lesson plans and activities from MoneySmart, designed to bring everyday financial topics into the classroom.

Text

Understanding compound interest

This lesson explores compound interest and challenges students to consider why saving now can help them later. The resource is part of a suite of lesson plans and activities from MoneySmart, designed to bring everyday financial topics into the classroom.

Text

Linear Relationships (and how Maths can help you choose a great car) - Calculate

The activity has students collecting their own information from a well-known Australia car buying website and using this to find an estimated relationship between the ‘asking price’ for a used car and the distance it has traveled in kilometres.

Text

Compound Interest - Calculate

This resources demonstrates simple and compound interest and includes an activity sheet for students with questions about the differences in calculations and cumulative interest over time.

Text

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 ...

Text

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 ...

Text

Capital Airways: Part 1

In this lesson students are introduced to the concept of a network through an airline route map. The task extends into a detailed mathematical modelling activity with students exploring in teams how to re-design the network map to improve the airline’s profitability. This lesson is in two parts and is followed by Capital ...

Text

Capital Airways: Part 2

This is the second lesson in the Capital Airways series and follows the prior lesson Capital Airways: Part 1. Students investigate a network through an airline route map. The task is a mathematical modelling activity whereby students collaborate to re-design the network map to improve the airline’s profitability.

Text

Mrs Sim's Dollars and Sense - Calculate

This alternate assessment task focuses on calculating gross and net wages before and after tax; operating and solving problems using simple and compound interest; and making valid comparisons between total accumulated costs and the initial (principal) amounts of money borrowed or invested.

Text

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.

Video

My Five Cents: What is compound interest?

Compound interest will be one of the most important things you ever learn. Don't believe it? Gen Fricker will explain why. Learn how compound interest works, and why saving now can help you later. Game changer! 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.

Interactive

Laptop wrap: Investing wisely

In this laptop-friendly resource, students investigate unit pricing and explore the formulae and concepts of simple and compound interest.

Text

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.

Text

TIMES Module 22: Number and Algebra: consumer arithmetic - teacher guide

This is a 23-page guide for teachers, providing an introduction to the financial mathematics component of the number and algebra strands for years 9 and 10. A brief history of the concept of money concludes the module.

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 ...

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!

Video

How do interest rates work?

What are interest rates? What determines the interest rates in Australia? And how do interest rates affect the economy? Listen as Dr Ashton de Silva explains.