Mathematics / Year 3 / Algebra

Curriculum content descriptions

recognise and explain the connection between addition and subtraction as inverse operations, apply to partition numbers and find unknown values in number sentences (AC9M3A01)

Elaborations
  • partitioning numbers using materials, part-part-whole diagrams or bar models, and recording addition and subtraction facts for each representation, explaining how each fact is connected to the materials, diagrams or models; for example, \(16 + 8 = 24\), \(24\space – \space8 = 16\), \(8 = 24 \space–\space 16\)
  • using the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction to find unknown values with a calculator; for example, representing the problem, “Peter had some money and then spent \(\$375\), now he has \(\$158\) left. How much did Peter have to start with?” as \(\square – \$375 = \$158\) and solving the problem using \(\$375 + \$158 = \$533\); solving \(27 + \square = 63\) using subtraction, \(\square = 63\space – \space27\) or by counting on; \(27, 37, 47, 57, 60, 63,\) so add \(3\) tens and \(6\) ones, so \(\square = 36\)
  • exploring First Nations Australians’ stories and dances that show the connection between addition and subtraction, representing this as a number sentence and discussing how this conveys important information about balance in processes on Country/Place
General capabilities
  • Numeracy Numeracy
ScOT terms

Mathematical expressions,  Subtraction,  Additive patterns,  Addition

Video

Count Us In, Ep 8: How many are left?

Flynn and Dodly are practising their magic tricks. They are trying to make eggs, muffins and even guinea pigs disappear. Help our two friendly monsters work out how many should be left after their disappearing tricks.

Online

reSolve: Addition: Chess - The Rook

This lesson engages students in investigating place value and the addition and subtraction of numbers by exploring computation on the number chart. Students analyse the moves of a rook chess piece and how the value of the numbers change as he moves. This builds into an exploration of how the number chart can be used as ...

Interactive

Sites2See – number for primary

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

Text

Work sample Year 3 Mathematics: Ways to make 18

This work sample demonstrates evidence of student learning in relation to aspects of the achievement standards for Year 3 Mathematics. The primary purpose for the work sample is to demonstrate the standard, so the focus is on what is evident in the sample not how it was created. The sample is an authentic representation ...

Downloadable

AERO Ochre Maths Year 3 Unit 2 - Exploring calculation strategies

This sequence of 15 lessons will teach students various calculation strategies.

Online

Paying It Forward Years 3-4

This resource is a cross-curricular unit about how identity and welfare is affected by the groups and places that students belong to and the services that local government provides. They learn that fair isn’t always equal, the importance of integrity and the role of laws and responsibility in protecting their rights and ...

Online

Find unknown values: Year 3 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 3 is for the topic of Find unknown values. Students consolidate their knowledge of number facts up to 20 and are encouraged to practise these to aid recall. They learn number facts for addition and subtraction up to 20, becoming familiar with the different combinations. Students recall and ...

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.

Online

Literacy and numeracy improvement: a whole-school approach

This teacher resource describes how 74 public schools in metropolitan, regional and rural Western Australia used three major components of the school improvement cycle to achieve significant improvement in the literacy and numeracy learning outcomes of their students. The resource is organised in nine sections: Summary, ...

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 ...

Online

reSolve: Multiplication - Domino Arrays

This sequence of two lessons explores multiplicative thinking through the use of arrays where all the parts of the array are not visible. The sequence encourages students to find the total number of items in an array by multiplication rather than counting by ones or skip counting. Connections between area, arrays and multiplication ...

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.

Video

What is a quarter?

What is a quarter? You get quarters when you divide a whole into four equal parts. Each one of these four parts is a quarter. Watch this great explainer produced by Monique in collaboration with ABC Splash and see how she explains quarters.

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.

Video

Mixed Up Maths, Ep 11: Funny money

What do you use money to buy? In this clip we look at Australian money. See the different coins and notes that make up our money system. We investigate if size, (in coins) does matter. Check out how many 5 cent pieces you need to make two dollars. We also look at some currencies used around the world. Find out which country ...

Video

Musical fractions

Break down a song by counting how long the notes are in action! Learn about patterns in rhythms and musical notes, and discover the role of fractions in denoting whole, half and quarter notes and creating distinct sounds.

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 ...

Online

reSolve: Algebra: Number Sequences

This sequence of lessons aims to build students' algebraic thinking through explorations of additive number patterns. Students are challenged to solve problems to generate patterns, explore strategies for addition and subtraction and apply their skills to constructing their own new patterns.The lessons are outlined in detail ...

Online

reSolve: Measurement - Jump!

In this sequence of two lessons, students investigate how far they can jump and explore the jumping distance of a range of animals. Students first estimate the distance they can jump, then undertake an investigation by jumping using a range of techniques. Class data is recorded and displayed and students compare their jumping ...

Interactive

Musical number patterns: musical times

Make some music by building up rhythms from four instruments. Make a counting rule that matches a pattern on a number line. Select the start number and then select a number to count by. For example, describe a sound pattern where a saxophone waits on the first note, and then plays on every eighth note. Add a second number ...