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Mathematics / Year 8 / Number and Algebra / Patterns and algebra

Curriculum content descriptions

Simplify algebraic expressions involving the four operations (ACMNA192)

Elaborations
  • understanding that the laws used with numbers can also be used with algebra
General capabilities
  • Numeracy Numeracy
ScOT terms

Simplification (Algebra)

Online

reSolve: Polygon Pieces

This lesson explores the geometry of cutting polygons in different ways and using algebra to express subsequent findings. Students use one straight cut to divide a convex polygon into two new polygons. They make generalisations about the total number of sides of the two new polygons, and about the number of different combinations ...

Online

Algebraic expressions

This is a website designed for both teachers and students that addresses algebraic expressions from the Australian Curriculum for year 8 students. It contains material on using simple positive and negative fractions, substitution, collecting like terms, taking products, and expanding brackets using the distributive law ...

Online

reSolve: Quarter Cartons

This lesson challenges students to use algebra and proportional reasoning to investigate how changing the size of a paper square or rectangle impacts the dimensions of a box folded from that paper. Students apply knowledge about nets of 3D objects and explore algebraic relationships through a set of hands-on activities ...

Online

reSolve: Algebra: Tens and Units

This sequence of lessons aims to develop understanding of algebra as generalised arithmetic. Students learn to express 2- and 3-digit numbers in a general form and use this to explain results of arithmetic operations involving numbers with their digits reversed. The task links the ideas of place value with algebraic reasoning. ...

Online

reSolve: Algebra: Think of a number - Linear Equations

This lesson explores algebra by generalising results from arithmetic used in 'think of a number' games. Students connect arithmetic operations with algebraic notation and visualisations. The lesson begins with an observation made using arithmetic that students then justify and extend using algebra. The lesson is outlined ...

Online

reSolve: Algebra: Addition Chain

This sequence of lessons explores making algebraic generalisations of sequences. Students use spreadsheets to investigate potential arithmetic relationships and then use algebra to identify and justify which relationships are generally true. The task can be used as a springboard for an in-depth exploration of the Fibonacci ...

Online

reSolve: Working with algebra

This sequence of two lessons gives students opportunities to explore and share strategies for solving algebraic problems. The lessons focus on open-ended problem solving and developing multiple approaches to solving problems algebraically such as using like terms and substitution. Students work individually and in small ...

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The Geometry and Algebra of Honeycomb - Calculate

This integrated unit of work explores the amazing structures of honeycomb by examining the properties of regular and irregular polygons and polyhedra. Students then move on to solve problems using geometric and algebraic reasoning.

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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.

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8A01A Algebra - Ochre Education

This unit of work focuses on algebra. Students simplify algebraic expressions involving adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing simple algebraic terms up to squares and cubes of algebraic factors that do not require use of exponent laws (such as multiplying and dividing coefficients or writing chains of or fractions ...

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

Linear expressions and equations: Year 8 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 8 is for the topic of Linear expressions and equations. Students build on their knowledge of the order of operations, simplifying algebraic terms and their prior knowledge of the arithmetic laws. Students will now create and rearrange linear expressions, as well as expand and factorise them.

Video

Modelling climate changes

There is a saying: 'climate is what you expect and weather is what you get'. |Understanding climate change is very difficult for most people, especially when the weather we experience is different from the information we are given by scientists about the climate changing. The difference is that weather reflects short-term ...

Video

BTN: What is the GST?

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a tax placed on things people buy with money or things people do for money. Can you name some goods and services that have GST? What about some goods and services that don't have GST? Find out when and why the GST was first introduced.

Video

Catalyst: Graham's number

If you were asked what the biggest number you can think of is, what would you say? Infinity? Well, what about the biggest finite number you can think of? Mathematician Ron Graham came across such a gigantic number in his research that, to capture its massive size, he and his colleagues needed to come up with new methods ...

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8A03A Linear relationships - Ochre Education

This ten lesson unit of work focuses on linear relationships. Students define, identify, and plot linear and non-linear relations, determine coordinates of points on linear graphs, sketch linear graphs using two points, solve linear equations graphically, understand the effect of the coefficients of linear equations by ...

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8A04A Inequalities - Ochre Education

This three lesson unit of work focuses on algebraic inequalities. Students explore and graph one-variable inequalities on number lines and Cartesian planes, solve linear inequalities and graph the solutions and identify regions of the Cartesian plane that the y-value is greater or less than a plotted linear relation. The ...

Online

Patterns and number facts: Year 8 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 8 is for the topic of Patterns and number facts. Students bring together knowledge and skills on linear functions and relations and experiment with digital tools to investigate systematic variation of parameters to show the effect. Students cement their understanding of the 'm' and the 'c' ...

Interactive

Syllabus bites: More Venn diagrams

An interactive exploration of Venn diagrams with three attributes.

Interactive

Syllabus Bites: Revisiting proportion

This is the first in a series of Syllabus Bites related to direct and indirect proportion. Students revise the concept of ratio. They create short visual explanations showing how problems can be solved.