Mathematics / Year 6 / Algebra

Curriculum content descriptions

recognise and use rules that generate visually growing patterns and number patterns involving rational numbers (AC9M6A01)

Elaborations
  • investigating patterns such as the number of tiles in a geometric pattern, or the number of dots or other shapes in successive repeats of a strip or border pattern; looking for patterns in the way the numbers increase/decrease
  • using a calculator or spreadsheet to experiment with number patterns that result from multiplying or dividing; for example, \(1 ÷ 9, 2 ÷ 9, 3 ÷ 9\)…, \(210 \times 11, 211 \times 11, 212 \times 11\)…, \(111 \times 11, 222 \times 11, 333 \times 11\)…, or \(100 ÷ 99, 101 ÷ 99, 102 ÷ 99\)…
  • creating an extended number sequence that represents an additive pattern using decimals; for example, representing the additive pattern formed as students pay their \(\$2.50\) for an incursion as \(2.50, 5.00, 7.50, 10.00, 12.50, 15.00, 17.50\) …
  • investigating the number of regions created by successive folds of a sheet of paper: one fold, \(2\) regions; \(2\) folds, \(4\) regions; \(3\) folds, \(8\) regions, and describing the pattern using everyday language
  • creating a pattern sequence with materials, writing the associated number sequence and then describing the sequence with a rule so someone else can replicate it with different materials; for example, using matchsticks or toothpicks to create a growing pattern of triangles using \(3\) for one triangle, \(5\) for \(2\) triangles, \(7\) for \(3\) triangles and describing the pattern as, “Multiply the number of triangles by \(2\) and then add one for the extra toothpick in the first triangle”
General capabilities
  • Numeracy Numeracy
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and Creative Thinking
ScOT terms

Mathematical expressions,  Sequences (Number patterns),  Rational numbers

Interactive

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Sites2See: Patterns and Algebra

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

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The difference bar: go figure

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MathXplosion, Ep 33: On the grid

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The divider: with or without remainders

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Interactive

Playground percentages

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Online

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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, ...

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Numbers Count: What are factors?

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