Mathematics / Year 4 / Algebra

Curriculum content descriptions

find unknown values in numerical equations involving addition and subtraction, using the properties of numbers and operations (AC9M4A01)

Elaborations
  • demonstrating the commutative properties of addition using materials, diagrams and number lines; for example, using number lines to demonstrate that \(5 + 2 = 2 + 5\), demonstrating that \(2 + 2 + 3 = 7\) and \(2 + 3 + 2 = 7\) and \(3 + 2 + 2 = 7\)
  • using balance scales and informal uniform units to create addition or subtraction number sentences showing equivalence, such as \(7 + 8 = 6 + 9\), and to find unknowns in equivalent number sentences, such as \(6 + 8 = \square + 10\)
  • using relational thinking and knowledge of equivalent number sentences to explain whether equations involving addition or subtraction are true; for example, explaining that \(27 \space– \space 14 = 17\space – \space4\) is true and using a number line to show the common difference is \(13\)
  • using part-part-whole diagrams or bar models to recognise and explain the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction, using this to make calculations easier; for example, solving \(27 + \square = 63\) using subtraction, \(\square = 63\space – \space27\)
General capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Numeracy Numeracy
ScOT terms

Associativity,  Mathematical expressions,  Subtraction,  Addition

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