Mathematics / Year 7 / Algebra

Curriculum content descriptions

recognise and use variables to represent everyday formulas algebraically and substitute values into formulas to determine an unknown (AC9M7A01)

Elaborations
  • linking variables to attributes and measures being modelled when using formulas, such as the area of a rectangle is equal to the length x width as \(A\;=\;l\;\times\;w\) or using \(p\;=\;6g\;+\;b\) to describe a total of points expressed as goals (worth \(6\) points) and behinds (worth one point)
  • interpreting and using formulas obtained from other sources; for example, maximum heart rates and target heart rates for moderate exercise
  • substituting numerical values for variables when using formulas and calculating the value of an unknown in practical situations; for example, calculating weekly wage \(W\) given base wage \(b\) and overtime hours \(h\) at \(1.5\) times rate \(r\), \(W\;=\;b+1.5\times h\times r\), using values for mass \(m\) and volume \(v\) to determine density \(d\) of a substance where \(d\;=\;\frac mv\)
  • using everyday formulas and their application to contexts on Country/Place, investigating the relationships between variables
General capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Numeracy Numeracy
ScOT terms

Substitution,  Variables (Mathematics),  Equations

Online

reSolve: Real numbers - Sum of squares

This lesson explores Diophantus' hypothesis that all natural numbers can be expressed as the sum of no more than four square numbers. Students are invited to work in small groups to express natural numbers up to 120 as a sum of squares and share this on a whole-class grid. The resource develops students' fluency in identifying ...

Online

reSolve: Prime factorisation

This sequence of four lessons explores prime factorisation. Students solve a puzzle using factor strings, play a dice game to learn about prime numbers, develop a method for finding all of the factors of a number, and engage in an investigation of highest common factors and lowest common multiples of two numbers, and how ...

Online

reSolve: Paint with Numbers

This sequence of three lessons explores ratios through the context of mixing paint. Students investigate how ratios express a multiplicative relationship between two measures and under what conditions the proportions remain constant when the numerical values of both quantities change. The lessons are outlined in detail ...

Online

reSolve: Modelling Motion - Year 7

This sequence of seven lessons challenges students to use simple equipment to predict, observe and represent motion. They create a series of graphs to represent motion and construct instruments to measure forces in one and then two dimensions. They interpret these representations to develop concepts of force and motion. ...

Online

reSolve: Mechanical Linkages: Angles and Lines

This sequence of lessons explores the geometry of angles using real world contexts including the dynamics of folding and joints. Students investigate side lengths and angles, supported by using physical models and computer simulation. There are opportunities to develop geometric language and to highlight how mathematical ...

Online

reSolve: Algebra - Prisms and pyramids

This lesson engages students in investigating the relationship between the number of faces, edges and vertices of pyramids and prisms. Students construct their own 3D shapes, systematically record the properties of the shape and develop an algebraic formula to generalise the relationships discovered. The lesson is outlined ...

Video

Working out the areas

Do you know how to work out the area of a square, a rectangle or a triangle? Learn the simple maths formulas needed from this video. What would be the area of a rectangle with a height of 5cm and a length of 3cm?

Text

Work sample Year 7 Mathematics: Investigations

This work sample demonstrates evidence of student learning in relation to aspects of the achievement standards for Year 7 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 ...

Text

Work sample Year 7 Mathematics: Geometric reasoning

This work sample demonstrates evidence of student learning in relation to aspects of the achievement standards for Year 7 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

Which has more volume?

Use this diagnostic task to assess what students know about volume and units to measure and compare volumes.

Online

When I post something online how permanent is it?

Students engage in a photo rip up activity to emphasize the permanency of online information, they explore factor trees, doubling and line graphs through the lens of sharing information, and they collaboratively develop a set of protocols around sharing information online.

Downloadable

What are the odds?

Students calculate the probability for single-step events using sample spaces.

Video

What are pixels?

Meet Kevin Systrom and Piper Hanson as they explain how digital images work. What are pixels, those tiny dots of light, made from? How are colours created and represented? What does Kevin say about the way mathematical functions are used to create different image filters. What is the difference between image resolution ...

Interactive

Water use and efficiency – sustainability action process (Years 7–10)

This resource guides students through an extended school-based or local investigation focussed on water use and efficiency using the five step sustainability action process. The resource supports the investigation of a real-world issue or problem. Students develop and implement a chosen sustainability action and then evaluate ...

Interactive

Waste and materials – sustainability action process (Years 7–10)

This resource guides students through an extended school-based or local investigation focussed on waste and materials using the five-step sustainability action process. The resource supports the investigation of a real-world issue or problem. Students develop and implement a chosen sustainability action and then evaluate ...

Online

Volume and surface area: Year 7 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 7 is for the topic of Volume and surface area. Students become familiar with the concepts of volume and surface area. They understand that volume is the amount of space occupied by a three-dimensional (3D) object and is measured in cubic units.

Video

Volume and mathematical modelling video

Use this video as a springboard to explore volume of composite shapes, adjusting numbers to make calculations friendlier and draw on reasoning and mathematical modelling.

Video

Using Pythagoras' Theorem (Simulation)

An interactive simulation in which students use Pythagoras' theorem can be used to find distances.

Online

Use variables: Year 7 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 7 is for the topic of Use variables. Students students recognise pronumerals and variables in formulas they have been exposed to. They are presented real-life scenarios and explore the relationship between variables using algebraic notation as a representation.

Video

Understanding exponents: 2

This resource is a short video presentation, with audio commentary, in which the meaning of exponents or powers of a number is explained. In the numerical example used the presenter explains the difference between evaluating the power of a number and the product of two numbers.

Video

Types of triangles

What is the difference between equilateral, isosceles and scalene triangles? See if you can find and classify triangles based on the definitions given in this maths video.

Text

Transformations of the plane

This is a website designed for both teachers and students that introduces some transformations of the plane using coordinates in the Cartesian plane. In particular, transformations, translations, reflections in an axis and rotations of multiples of 90 degrees are discussed. Coordinates are used to describe these transformations. ...

Online

Transformation: Year 7 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 7 is for the topic of Transformation. Students describe translations, reflections and rotations and identify line (mirror) and rotational symmetries. They will extend their understanding of transformations through exploring transformations on the Cartesian plane.

Online

Trade and Investment at a Glance

Using an illustrated report from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, this Teacher guide provides ten learning sequences that engage students in the analysis and interpretation of data about Australian imports and exports. Students: identify Australia's major exports and imports; investigate international trade ...

Interactive

Time tools: 24-hour to the minute: time challenge

Use this tool to match clock times to the time presented on a Master clock. This learning object is one in a series of twelve learning objects.

Text

Thumb wrestling tournament

In this introductory activity students use a simple thumb-wrestling tournament to analyse a series of matches in which there can only be one victor. Students work in small groups to explore different ways of mapping out the events of a tournament, introducing the concept of constructing sample spaces and tree diagrams as ...

Downloadable

The wide wide world of sports betting

This lesson explores the difference between perfectly predictable events (like the roll of a die) and less certain events (such as sports). Students investigate mathematically how sports bookmakers create odds to guarantee themselves a profit and pay gamblers less for a win than they deserve. The lesson is outlined in ...

Online

The laws of arithmetic and their use in algebra

This is a website designed for both teachers and students that refers to algebraic notation, the laws of arithmetic and the use of these laws in algebra from the Australian Curriculum for year 7 students. It contains material on algebraic notation, the commutative and associative laws, the use of brackets and the orders ...

Downloadable

The humanoid project

Students explore a large data set.

Interactive

The geometer's warehouse

This web-based, multimedia resource focuses on the geometry of the Stage 4 and Stage 5 Mathematics syllabus. It comprises 70 dynamic html worksheets, each exploring a different outcome in Stage 4 and Stage 5 geometry.

Interactive

The foul food maker: go figure

This tutorial is suitable for use with a screen reader. It explains how the use of simple words can describe the likelihood of everyday events. How likely is an event: certain, likely, equal chance, unlikely or certainly not? Answer some questions using these words and then build your own examples. Learn how to describe ...

Interactive

The divider: with or without remainders

Solve divisions such as 147/7 or 157/6 (some have remainders). Use a partitioning tool to help solve randomly generated divisions. Learn strategies to do complex arithmetic in your head. Split a division into parts that are easy to work with, use times tables, then solve the original calculation.

Video

The amazing 'angle-a-tron'

Lost your protractor? Well, find out how to make an 'angle-a-tron'. This might just be the coolest mathematical tool you've ever used. Measure all sorts of angles. It's easy with an angle-a-tron!

Interactive

The Numberline

An interactive tool that can help students explore a number line, including points representing integers, fractions and decimals

Interactive

The Mathematical Toolkit

A 2D Shapes tool that can be used to create geometric objects such as quadrilaterals, circles, triangles, lines, arcs, rays, segments and vectors on a coordinate grid. Plot and label the vertices to reveal the internal angles, side lengths, area and perimeter, then manipulate the shapes on a grid to transform their shape ...

Text

The Lives of Presidents

This resource is a web page containing an investigative task that involves the analysis of data. Data about Presidents of the United States of America in the form of a spreadsheet is provided. Create your own questions for inquiry the sort the spreadsheet by relevant criteria. A 'Getting started' and 'Solutions' page ...

Online

The First Fleet - dataset collections

The dataset provides information about 780 of the convicts transported to Australia on the First Fleet ships 'Alexander', 'Charlotte', 'Lady Penrhyn', 'Friendship', 'Prince of Wales' and 'Scarborough' in 1788. The dataset includes information on items such as the convict's name, occupation, crime, date of trial and term ...

Text

Tessellating tiles

In this teaching resource students learn how to construct shapes that will tessellate (or tile) a plane area. Starting with a regular shape known to tessellate (square, equilateral triangle, hexagon), students apply geometrical transformations to the sides of the shape to create new shapes that tessellate. There are links ...

Interactive

Terms

An animated tutorial about terms and 'like' terms, followed by an interactive quiz.

Online

Tax, Super + You

Tax, Super + You is designed to provide teachers and parents with practical resources to help students in Years 7-12 understand the value of tax and superannuation, and have confidence when entering the workforce. Registration for a free account is required to access the full suite of materials.

Online

TIMES Module 9: Number and Algebra: multiplication of whole numbers - teacher guide

This is a 23-page guide for teachers. This module contains a description of suitable models for multiplication, a discussion of the types of problems that require multiplication for their solution, and mental and written strategies for multiplication. The use of the commutative, associative and distributive laws is described. ...

Online

TIMES Module 9: Measurement and Geometry: introduction to plane geometry - teacher guide

This is a 16-page guide for teachers. It provides an introduction to the initial ideas of plane geometry. Points and lines are introduced as fundamental objects in the study of geometry. Angles and parallelism are the initial areas of attention in a more formal approach to geometry that occurs from year 7.

Online

TIMES Module 8: Number and Algebra: subtraction of whole numbers - teacher guide

This is a 16-page guide for teachers. This module continues the consideration of whole numbers.

Online

TIMES Module 7: Number and Algebra: addition of whole numbers - teacher guide

This is a 16-page guide for teachers. This module introduces addition of whole numbers.

Online

TIMES Module 5: Number and Algebra: using place value to write numbers - teacher guide

This is a 16-page guide for teachers. a module that introduces place value.

Online

TIMES Module 3: Measurement and Geometry: time - teacher guide

This is a 20-page guide for teachers containing an introduction to the units of time and how to measure time. Time between events, time lines and timetables are considered. A brief history of the development of these concepts concludes the module.

Online

TIMES Module 2: Statistics and Probability: data investigation and interpretation, year 7 - teacher guide

This is a 13-page guide for teachers. In this module, in the context of statistical data investigations, we build on the content of year 5 on measurement data and count data with many different observed values of counts. Because these data types are quantitative, investigation and interpretation include considerations of ...

Online

TIMES Module 20: Number and Algebra: percentages - teacher guide

This is a 15-page guide for teachers. This module introduces percentages and their many uses in science, commerce and measurement.

Online

TIMES Module 1: Number and Algebra: sets and Venn diagrams - teacher guide

This is a 22-page guide for teachers. The module provides an introduction to set notation and demonstrates its use in logic, probability and functions.

Online

TIMES Module 18: Number and Algebra: decimals and percentages - teacher guide

This is a 21-page guide for teachers containing an introduction to decimals and percentages. It shows how place value is extended to describe positive numbers less than one. It also explores how to represent decimals on the number line, compare decimals, undertake the four basic arithmetic operations with decimals and change ...

Online

TIMES Module 17: Number and Algebra: the unitary method - teacher guide

This is an 18-page guide for teachers. This module introduces the idea of ratios and rates.

Online

TIMES Module 15: Number and Algebra: the integers - teacher guide

This is a 24-page guide for teachers. The module introduces the integers, order of the integers and operations on the integers.

Online

TIMES Module 14: Number and Algebra: fractions - teacher guide

This is a 16-page guide for teachers that provides an introduction to fractions. It covers ordering, the four basic arithmetic operations, cancelling, writing in simplest form, the use of the area model for multiplication and the use of the number line for ordering, adding and subtracting. A history of the development of ...

Online

TIMES Module 13: Measurement and Geometry: construction - teacher guide

This is a 30-page guide for teachers that explains the central role of construction and presents examples of constructions.

Online

TIMES Module 12: Statistics and Probability: chance, year 7 - teacher guide

This is a 13-page guide for teachers. It continues the development of probability. A careful consideration of outcomes and equally likely outcomes is undertaken. In year 7, students revisit simple situations with a clear and easily listed number of possible outcomes that can, or may, be assumed to be equally likely. In ...

Online

TIMES Module 10: Number and Algebra: division of whole numbers - teacher guide

This is a 26-page guide for teachers. This module contains a description of suitable models for division, a discussion of the types of problems that require division for their solution, and mental and written strategies for division.

Online

TIMES Module 10: Measurement and Geometry: introduction to measurement - teacher guide

This is a 16-page guide for teachers. It provides an introduction to the initial ideas of measurement, and introduces the measurement of length, area, volume and time.

Interactive

Syllabus bites: Venn diagrams and Two-way tables

An interactive exploration of the relationship between Venn diagrams and Two-way tables.

Interactive

Syllabus bites: Using Venn diagrams to solve problems

Worked examples and guided exercises to assist students learning to use Venn diagrams as an organiser for solving mathematical problems.

Interactive

Syllabus bites: The language of Venn diagrams

Interactive activities supporting students learning to describe regions of a Venn diagram.

Interactive

Syllabus bites: More Venn diagrams

An interactive exploration of Venn diagrams with three attributes.

Interactive

Syllabus bites: Introducing Venn diagrams

An interactive resource in which students explore, interpret and draw Venn diagrams with two attributes.

Interactive

Syllabus bites – turbo turning

The fourth in a series of Syllabus bites related to transformations on the Cartesian plane. This Bite covers rotation of points.

Interactive

Syllabus bites – speedy sliding

This is the first in a series of Syllabus bites related to transformations on the Cartesian plane aimed at Stage 4 Mathematics. Students find the coordinates of image points after translation. In doing so, they develop fluency in using coordinates and familiarity with the Cartesian plane, providing a basis for the investigations ...

Interactive

Syllabus bites – mixing it up

The fifth in a series of Syllabus bites related to transformations on the Cartesian plane. This bite covers combinations (composition) of transformations.

Interactive

Syllabus bites – frenzied flipping

This is the second in a series of Syllabus bites related to transformations on the Cartesian plane. This Bite covers reflection of points.

Interactive

Syllabus bites – flipping and sliding

This is the third in a series of Syllabus bites related to transformations on the Cartesian plane. Students further their understanding of translation and reflection and explore relationships between these two transformations.

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.

Interactive

Syllabus Bites: Graphing direct proportion

This is the third in a series of Syllabus Bites related to direct and indirect proportion. Students draw graphs to represent relationships between variables in direct proportion. They associate the gradient of the graph with the constant of proportionality. They investigate practical contexts that give rise to direct proportion.

Interactive

Syllabus Bites: Direct proportion

This is the second in a series of Syllabus Bites related to direct and indirect proportion. Interactive applets and dynamic geometry software allow students to explore quantities in direct proportion. Students draw conclusions about relationships between the variables and consolidate their understanding by playing a simple game.

Interactive

Surface area and volume

This is an interactive resource about investigating the surface areas and volumes of rectangular and triangular prisms. The resource can be used in one of two modes. In the Explore mode, the student can vary the height, width and depth of the prism, and the surface area and volume are calculated automatically. In the Compute ...

Downloadable

Statistics and probability: Foundation to Year 9

This comprehensive resource describes the progression of ideas that cover statistics and probability. The resource demonstrates examples of relevant teaching strategies, investigations, activity plans and connected concepts in chance and data including teaching and cultural implications.

Interactive

Squirt: three containers

Examine the relationships between capacities of various containers. Look at three containers that may have different diameters, heights and shapes. Fill a container and squirt liquids between the containers to establish the proportional relationship. Work out the third 'unlinked' relationship from two known relationships. ...

Online

Square roots and square numbers

This is a website designed for both teachers and students that deals with square roots of square numbers from the Australian Curriculum for year 7 students. It contains material on products of squares and square roots, prime factorisation and square roots of non-perfect squares. There are pages for both teachers and students. ...

Video

Solving percentage problems

This digital resource is a video demonstration of a procedural method to calculate an unknown quantity, given an amount is a known percentage of the unknown. For a single example, students are presented with an algorithmic, step-by-step, pen-and-paper method. The demonstration is complemented by the presenter's commentary ...

Interactive

Solids

An interactive tutorial about types of solids and the components of simple solids.

Online

Solar energy installations

This lesson uses data about solar energy installations to investigate data analysis. The dataset shows how many solar systems were installed, in each postcode, from 2001 to 2016. It is a useful way to understand how to explore and characterise datasets as well as to explore the use of data in the media. This lesson was ...

Interactive

Sites2See: Spreadsheets for mathematics

A page with example resources, exemplars and advice to help integrate spreadsheet use in teaching and learning for mathematics. Includes suggestions for use, tutorials and information on research and benefits, plus links to a range of related resources, including a teacher guide for using Microsoft Excel in the classroom. ...

Interactive

Simultaneous Equations: animation

A short animated introduction to simultaneous equations and a demonstration of the elimination method of solution, followed by an interactive quiz.

Interactive

Simple coordinates game

This is an interactive resource about plotting and identifying points on the Cartesian plane. The resource can be used in one of two modes. In the View mode, the student can enter the coordinates, and the corresponding point is identified on the coordinate plane when the 'Plot' button is selected. In the Guess mode, the ...

Online

Shapes and objects: Year 7 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 7 is for the topic of Shapes and objects. Students build on their knowledge of two-dimensional shapes. They classify triangles according to their side length (scalene, isosceles, equilateral) and their angle properties (right, acute, obtuse). Students identify and describe different quadrilaterals ...

Audio

Self Improvement Wednesday: The beauty of prime numbers

A prime number is a number that only has two factors: one and itself. Listen to Adam Spencer and Richard Glover discussing prime numbers. They cover how we define these numbers and how and why prime numbers are widely used in internet encryption.

Online

Secondary mathematics: using real data

These seven learning activities, which focus on the use of 'real data' using a variety of tools (software) and devices (hardware), illustrate the ways in which content, pedagogy and technology can be successfully and effectively integrated in order to promote learning. In the activities, teachers use the three content strands ...

Online

Secondary mathematics: different representations

These seven learning activities, which focus on 'representations' using a variety of tools (software) and devices (hardware), illustrate the ways in which content, pedagogy and technology can be successfully and effectively integrated in order to promote learning. In the activities, teachers use different representations ...

Online

Saltwater crocs: resourceful or a resource?

This lesson focuses on the analysis of a dataset that records scientific data collected about the crocodile population in the Kimberley region during 2015. The lesson follows an inquiry process where students use the dataset to answer relevant questions about the crocodile population. It also provides an opportunity for ...

Video

Rounding decimals to the nearest tenth

This is a digital resource comprising a video demonstration of rounding a decimal fraction to the nearest tenth. The commentary uses and interchanges between the language of decimal places and decimal place values expressed in terms of tenths and hundredths. Practice questions dealing more broadly with rounding numbers ...

Interactive

Rounding decimals

This is a six-page HTML resource about solving problems concerning rounding. It contains one video and eight questions, four of which are interactive. The resource discusses and explains solving problems with rounding of decimals to reinforce students' understanding.

Online

Rounding decimals

This is a website designed for both teachers and students that addresses rounding of decimal numbers from the Australian Curriculum for year 7 students. It contains material on writing a decimal correct to a number of decimal places and rounding money amounts to the nearest five cents. There are pages for both teachers ...

Online

Represent collected data: Year 7 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 7 is for the topic of Represent collected data. Students expand their knowledge of numerical data displays. Students draw or use digital software, to create their graphs or charts. Give ample opportunities to practise drawing stem-and-leaf plots, especially choosing the correct stems. Then, ...

Interactive

Renovate, Calculate!

A student resource that explores the use of mathematics in the trades. Highly interactive investigations into ratio, areas of special quadrilaterals and right-angled trigonometry.

Online

ReSolve: What's In A Name

This sequence of two lessons examines trends in the names of students in the class, as well as trends in popular names from 2017 and 1957. Students explore data associated with these names and decide whether the mean, median or mode might be a suitable measure of central tendency. They develop their skills with spreadsheets ...

Online

Proportional reasoning: Year 7 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 7 is for the topic of Proportional reasoning. Students are introduced to ratios as a method of comparing quantities. Students learn how to recognise and represent these comparisons to solve problems. The concept of dividing a quantity by a given ratio is also introduced.

Video

Proportional reasoning video

Use this video as a springboard to explore scaling or proportional thinking, and to apply that thinking in a food context, drawing on reasoning and mathematical modelling.

Online

Probability

This is a website designed for both teachers and students that addresses probability from the Australian Curriculum for year 7 students. It contains material on the language of probability, experiments and counting, and the probability of an event, and explains the mathematical use of the terms 'random' and 'randomly'. ...

Downloadable

Prediction vs. reality

This lesson explores how we perceive randomness. Students toss coins and record their observations while half of the class fake their results. They will then explore the differences between the random results and fake results sets and investigate theoretical probabilities for large numbers of coin flips. The lesson is outlined ...

Online

Practical numbers: Part 2

In this lesson we use the context of an ancient bazaar to investigate measurement systems. Students select a name and base number for their system of measurement, using weights made from clay or similar material. They divide their clay into possible unit fractions to generate their set of weights. They assign a fictional ...

Online

Practical numbers: Part 1

In this lesson, students explore standardised measuring systems. They encounter the challenge of a shopkeeper who must determine how to weigh different quantities of spices most efficiently. Working in a financial context, students model this scenario using fractions, percentages and ratios, and communicate their solution ...

Online

Possible outcomes: Year 7 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 7 is for the topic of Possible outcomes. Students represent the probability of an event occurring on a scale of zero to one as decimals, fractions or percentages.

Online

Position and location: Year 7 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 7 is for the topic of Position and location. Students demonstrate understanding of objects in two dimensions (2D). Students can draw various shapes in different ways, such as drawing informally on blank paper, on grid paper, or in an isometric representation; discuss the reasons behind the ...

Interactive

Plotting Points in a Quadrant

An animated tutorial demonstrating how to locate and plot points on the Cartesian plane, given coordinates. An interactive quiz is included.

Online

Place value: Year 7 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 7 is for the topic of Place value. Students represent natural numbers in expanded notation using place value and powers of 10. Students learn the connection between exponent notation and its expanded form. By understanding how powers of ten are sequenced, students make connections with scale ...

Online

Patterns, rules and graphs

In this lesson, students play games and learn about space and location, the Cartesian plane, pattern recognition and reductive reasoning by playing games and thinking. Students create algebraic equations to describe their strategy. Follow this lesson with Graphs: formulas and variables, though both lessons can be taught ...

Video

Patterns, primes and Pascal's Triangle

Are you intrigued by patterns? Check out Vi Hart as she explains how to visualise patterns in prime numbers, using Ulam's Spiral. Watch as Vi creates patterns, using Pascal's Triangle to explore relationships in number. See what happens when she circles the odd numbers. What rule does she use to create the final pattern?

Downloadable

Operations: Foundation to Year 9

This comprehensive resource describes the progression of ideas that cover addition and subtraction of integers; multiplication and division of integers; the four operations with common and decimal fractions; and operation applications with percent, rate and ratio.

Text

Olympic Triathlon

This resource is a web page containing an investigative task that involves the analysis of data. Data from Olympic Triathlon in the form of a spreadsheet is provided. Sort the results in various ways, work out averages and measures of spread, or plot some graphs to test correlations between times for individual events ...

Interactive

Numeracy wrap: Tell me why

Interactive activities that guide students to consider the use and presentation of geometric reasoning.

Interactive

Numeracy wrap: Race across transversals

Interactive activities that guide students to explore angles in parallel lines.

Interactive

Numeracy wrap: Parallelogram peculiarities

Interactive activities that guide students to investigate properties of parallelograms.

Interactive

Numeracy wrap: It's what's inside that counts

interactive activities that guide students to explore the interior and exterior angle sums of polygons.

Online

Numeracy improvement at Wallaroo Mines Primary School

This teacher resource describes strategies used in a whole-school initiative to improve numeracy outcomes in Wallaroo Mines Primary School, South Australia. The school used a coaching strategy - along with the Big Ideas in Number strategy (Siemon 2006). The strategies included diagnostic tools, teacher professional learning, ...

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.

Downloadable

Number: Foundation to Year 9

This comprehensive resource describes the progression of number-related ideas showing the relationship to other curriculum strands. The resource demonstrates examples of relevant teaching strategies, investigations, activity plans and connected concepts in number including teaching and cultural implications.

Online

Number sequence: Year 7 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 7 is for the topic of Number sequence. Students extend their understanding of equivalence of fraction with visual representations such as a number line that extends beyond zero; concrete materials; and common multiples and fraction walls. Students learn to work with equivalence and explore ...

Text

NFF: Farm facts 2012

This is a multilayered web page produced by the National Farmers' Federation, which includes links to a 34-page pdf and a Prezi providing a summary of agricultural production in Australia in 2012. These include information about Australian farmers and farms, as well as an overview of farming sectors such as wool, cotton, ...

Video

My Five Cents: Why investing can be risky

Planning to get rich quick by investing one day? Before you jump in, let Gen Fricker explain some of the risks involved with different types of investments. Then test yourself with ASIC MoneySmart's "Things to think about" classroom exercises.  

Video

My Five Cents: Why borrowing can cost you more

Think credit cards are basically free money? Gen Fricker will make you think again. Learn how interest rates and fees affect the money you borrow, and why they may be more expensive in the long run. Oh dear! Then test yourself with ASIC MoneySmart's "Things to think about" classroom exercises.  

Video

My Five Cents: What is opportunity cost?

What is the true cost of buying something? Gen Fricker explains that it's more than just money. Learn about opportunity cost - what it is, why it's a helpful tool and when to use it. Simple! Then test yourself with ASIC MoneySmart's "Things to think about" classroom exercises.  

Interactive

Multiplication of decimals by a whole number

This is a four-page HTML resource about solving problems concerning the multiplication of decimals. It contains one video and four questions, two of which are interactive. The resource discusses and explains solving problems involving multiplying a decimal by a whole number to reinforce the students' understanding.

Online

Multiplication and division of fractions

This is a website designed for both teachers and students that addresses multiplication and division of fractions from the Australian Curriculum for year 7 students. It contains material on multiplication and division of fractions and explains how to deal with whole numbers and mixed numbers when multiplying and dividing ...

Online

Multiplication and division of decimals

This is a website designed for both teachers and students that addresses multiplication and division of decimals from the Australian Curriculum for year 7 students. It contains material on multiplication and division of decimals and helps students to understand multiplication and division as inverses of each other. There ...

Interactive

MoneySmart: MilbaDjunga - how can I start my own business?

The MilbaDjunga secondary unit 'How can I start my own business?' is an interactive online unit developed to support teachers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to teach consumer and financial literacy. It leads students through a step-by-step process to start a small business and is accompanied by teacher ...

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 ...

Text

Mixing Lemonade

This resource is a web page containing an interactive task to explore ratios and proportions. Compare different mixtures of lemonade and develop a strategy for deciding which is stronger each time. The task requires students to apply their understanding of ratio and proportions. A 'Getting started' page, 'Solution' and ...

Text

Mental computation

This is a website designed for both teachers and students that discusses methods of mental computation. In particular, applying the associative, commutative and distributive laws to aid mental and written computation is discussed. These are important ideas for the introduction of algebra. There are pages for both teachers ...

Downloadable

Measurement: Foundation to Year 9

This comprehensive resource describes the progression of measurement ideas. The resource demonstrates examples of relevant teaching strategies, investigations, activity plans and connected concepts in measurement including teaching and cultural implications.

Video

Mean, median and mode

This resource is a video demonstration, with audio commentary, about calculating the mean, median and mode of a data set. The meaning of each of the terms - mean, median and mode - is explained and the difference between them is clarified. The resource explains the process and demonstrates a handwritten method for calculating ...

Video

Maths inside bees and beehives

Bees are necessary for assisting many plants to produce the food we eat, including meat and milk. Colony collapse disorder, which describes the disappearance of beehives, could have catastrophic effects on food production. Australian scientists are applying their maths and science knowledge to build up a picture of a healthy ...

Online

Mathletes in motion

In this lesson, students use mathematical modelling in measurement (comparing and evaluating sports results) to explain equivalence between fractions, decimals and percentages, and represent rational numbers on a number line.

Online

Mathematical modelling (Number): Year 7 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 7 is for the topic of Mathematical modelling. Students use knowledge of the other topics in the Number strand, so that applying knowledge and skills can be modelled. This can be done in groups or as a whole class, as well as individually. Collaborative learning works well for practical problems.

Online

Mathematical modelling (Measurement): Year 7 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 7 is for the topic of Mathematical modelling. Students use the mathematical modelling to solve representations of real-world problems.

Video

MathXplosion, Ep 8: Birthday probability

What is the probability there are at least two people in your class who have the same birthday? If you have at least 23 people in your class, the chances are good. Find out the maths behind this theory.

Video

MathXplosion, Ep 7: The power of exponents

Have you heard of the term "exponential growth"? Growth can occur very quickly when powers are involved. See how you can use the power of two to rapidly increase the amount of anything from grain to coins!

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

MathXplosion, Ep 50: How to use a tetrahedron to solve the tree problem

How can you place four trees exactly the same distance apart from one other? By making a model! By using miniature trees to make a model of the problem, it becomes clear that a 2D solution is impossible. We learn how objects can help us visualise the problem situation, which in this case requires a 3D solution: a tetrahedron.

Video

MathXplosion, Ep 49: The probability of finding matching socks

Check out this probability puzzle that requires you to weigh all the possibilities. Pick the most likely outcome when confronted with a drawer full of loose, unpaired socks! How did Eric come up with a matching pair?

Video

MathXplosion, Ep 40: Kaprekar's operation

Did you know that 6,174 is a very mysterious number? In 1949, the mathematician Dr Kaprekar from India devised a process now known as Kaprekar's operation. First, choose a four-digit number where the digits are all different. Then rearrange the digits to get the largest and smallest numbers these digits can make. Finally, ...

Video

MathXplosion, Ep 34: Kite symmetry

Unfurl the secret of symmetry used in kites to make them fly! A kite in geometry looks a lot like a kite in the sky. We see that a kite is a special quadrilateral in which one of its two diagonals (long and short) is also its axis of symmetry, and if you fold the kite along that diagonal, the two halves will match up exactly ...

Video

MathXplosion, Ep 33: On the grid

Explore graphs, grids and mapping with a focus on reading and writing location data using coordinate geometry. Grids and maps illustrate the concepts of parallel/perpendicular lines (axes or labelled number lines), ordered pairs and intersection points.

Video

MathXplosion, Ep 22: How to communicate numbers with Roman numerals

Explore an alternative way to communicate numbers using the anchor numbers 5 and 10 and the ancient Roman counting system based on letters. Roman numerals were used throughout Europe well into the middle ages and still appear in the names of monarchs, the production year of films, on buildings and on timepieces.

Video

MathXplosion, Ep 1: Magic 9s

Follow these simple calculations to illustrate the special properties of the number 9. Pick your favourite number between 1 and 9 and multiply that number by 3. Add 3 to your answer. Multiply the result by 3. Treat your two-digit answer as two separate numbers and add them together. No matter what number you pick to start ...

Video

MathXplosion, Ep 17: Develop mathematical mind-reading skills

Amaze your friends with your super mind-reading skills. Here’s a brain game you can play by asking a few questions and substituting letters for numbers! Learn to follow a specific sequence of arithmetical steps to always arrive at the same answer.

Video

MathXplosion, Ep 11: Fun facts about the number seven

Did you know that the digits on opposite faces of dice will always add up to seven? Use dice as fun tools to reinforce fact families of seven, multiples of seven and subtraction skills.

Video

MathXplosion, Ep 10: What is the strongest shape?

Are triangles really the strongest shapes ever? If so, why? Learn how and why right-angled and equilateral triangles have been used in engineering, architecture and design through the ages.

Online

Making a positive difference in numeracy

This teacher resource describes strategies used in a whole-school initiative to improve numeracy outcomes in Two Wells Primary School, South Australia. Strategies include: using a numeracy coach to help implement the Big Ideas in Number program (Siemon 2006); using diagnostic tools to identify students needing numeracy ...

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, ...

Online

Literacy and Numeracy Pilot in low SES school communities

This teacher resource describes a pilot implemented in 76 public schools in Victoria, including primary, P-12, and secondary schools in two rural and regional and two metropolitan clusters. The pilot aimed to improve the literacy and numeracy of students in low socioeconomic status communities. This included new arrivals, ...

Online

Linear expressions and equations: Year 7 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 7 is for the topic of Linear expressions and equations. Students solve linear equations with one variable where the solution is a natural number. Begin with solving single-step equations to unpack the basic principles before moving to 2-step equations.

Online

Life expectancy PowerPoint

This teacher resource is a PowerPoint presentation designed to address common student misunderstandings about life expectancy. It emphasises that life expectancy is an average, that most people live for much longer or shorter than their life expectancy and that, when life expectancy is low, it is mostly because of a very ...

Interactive

Laptop wrap: Horology hiccup

A laptop-friendly resource focussed on the concept of time. Features guided technology-based activities.

Downloadable

Introduction to games of chance

This lesson explores how to predict outcomes of games of chance. Students investigate the concepts of luck, skill and fairness, using dice games. They calculate probabilities for one and two dice rolls and compare the odds for different combinations of dice in a variety of game scenarios. The lesson is outlined in detail ...

Online

Introduction to algebra

This is a website designed for both teachers and students that addresses the introduction of algebra. It is particularly relevant for introducing the idea of the use of a variable as a way of representing numbers. There are pages for both teachers and students. The student pages contain interactive questions for students ...

Online

Improving mental computation skills in middle years students

This teacher resource describes a strategy to build the pedagogy of teachers to support the numeracy skills of students in years 3-8 in selected schools in the ACT. The resource describes the Middle Years Mental Computation (MYMC) strategy, including the MYMC assessment tool and professional learning modules. It explains ...

Text

Imperial pie

This activity involves making a cake using a recipe in which the quantities of the ingredients required are measured using a variety of imperial units. To complete the recipe, students need to convert the imperial units to metric units in order to be able to use their metric measuring instruments. The activity serves to ...

Online

Humpback whales: what the data reveals

The lesson follows an inquiry process where students use the dataset to answer relevant questions about the whale population. They consider what other data they would need in order to effectively examine the impact on humpback whales of sonar activity and noise from development.

Online

Human landscapes – inquiry-based learning through Sydney Metro – Stage 4

This inquiry-based unit of work was created, trialled and peer reviewed as part of a professional learning program in inquiry-based learning for school teachers. The professional learning courses were part of a pilot partnership between the NSW Government’s Sydney Metro transport agency and Western Sydney University. Students ...

Downloadable

How many in the queue?

Students use visualising and movement activities to develop an understanding of the relationship between variables.

Video

How does income tax work?

Gen Fricker makes income tax interesting! Learn about income tax - what it is, how it works and when you have to pay it. Easy-peasy! Then test yourself with ASIC Moneysmart's "Things to think about" classroom exercises.

Online

Graphs: formulas and variables

In this lesson, students use algebra and linear equations to model two real-world scenarios to find information to make the best choice. Students set the aim of saving for a mobile phone (or similar goal) and use linear equations to model the pay rates of two part-time jobs to help make the better decision. This lesson ...

Online

Graphs: Year 7 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 7 is for the topic of Graphs. Students are introduced to the four-quadrant Cartesian plane. The format of the coordinates should be explained and demonstrated; coordinates do not have to be an integer value.

Downloadable

Give it your best shot

Students calculate the mean, median and mode for sets of data and select the appropriate measure of centre.

Downloadable

Geometry: Foundation to Year 9

This comprehensive resource describes the progression of geometric reasoning. The resource demonstrates examples of relevant teaching strategies, investigations, activity plans and connected concepts in geometry including teaching and cultural implications.

Online

Geometric reasoning including parallel lines and angle sum of a triangle

This is a website designed for both teachers and students that addresses geometry from the Australian Curriculum for year 9 students. It contains material on geometry and includes information regarding parallel lines and the angle sum of triangles. There are pages for both teachers and students. The student pages contain ...

Online

Geometric drawing including representation of simple solids

This is a website designed for both teachers and students that refers to the drawing of solids from the Australian Curriculum for year 7 students. It contains material on cross-sections of prisms and includes information regarding views, elevations and isometric drawings. There are pages for both teachers and students. ...

Online

Formulating algebraic expressions

This lesson encompasses students’ introduction to formal algebraic concepts. Students will be introduced to the concept of variables and will explore the construction of algebraic expressions using concrete materials. Students explore a range of authentic contexts and hands-on materials in this lesson to ensure their initial ...

Online

Formulate and manipulate expressions: Year 7 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 7 is for the topic of Formulate and manipulate expressions. Students find unknown quantities in numerical equations involving a combination of operations.

Text

Forest Learning: Wood Properties

This is a resource about investigating the properties of wood. Intended for use as one or two lessons for years 7 to 10 students, the resource consists of information and practical activities. Text, still images, tables and formulae are provided about the density and compressive strength of wood from different trees; moisture ...

Interactive

Fish market: explore trading

Buy and sell fish in trading markets in a range of Australian and New Zealand cities. Compare market prices, supply and demand. Explore a range of traders to find the best deals and open up new markets. Find a rare fish. Maximise your profit and reputation as a smart trader. This learning object is the first in a series ...

Online

Finding the shortest path

In this lesson, students will experiment with different ways of creating a path between two points with algorithm design and generalizing patterns. From the patterns, they will be able to generate an algorithm for efficiently traveling through cities in a region.

Video

Farm Diaries: producer video

This is a video about pig production at the Tintinara property of the Mount Boothby Pastoral Company in South Australia. Pigs at various stages are shown, including nursing piglets, weaned piglets weighing between 7 and 10k, and pigs close to a live weight of 100k. Pig producer Alastair Johnson gives statistics about the ...

Online

Factors, multiples, primes: Year 7 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 7 is for the topic of Factors and multiples. Students explore, investigate and describe the relationship between square numbers and square roots.

Online

Expressions, formulas and substitution

In the lesson ‘Formulating algebraic expressions’, students were introduced to variables and forming algebraic expressions. In this lesson, students continue to develop these skills and will explore substituting values into familiar and unfamiliar formulas to determine an unknown. Students explore substitution in a range ...

Interactive

Expressions

An animated tutorial with a focus on collecting 'like' terms to simplify expressions. An interactive quiz is included.

Online

Expressing one quantity as a fraction of a second

This is a website designed for both teachers and students that addresses the expression of one quantity as a fraction of a second quantity from the Australian Curriculum for year 7 students. It contains material on using the unitary method to solve fraction problems. There are pages for both teachers and students. The student ...

Interactive

Examples of Pythagoras' Theorem Part 2

An animated tutorial demonstrating the application of Pythagoras' theorem through some worked examples, followed by a interactive quiz.

Interactive

Examples of Pythagoras' Theorem Part 1

An animated tutorial demonstrating the application of Pythagoras' theorem through some worked examples, followed by a interactive quiz.

Online

Estimation and reasonableness: Year 7 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 7 is for the topic of Estimation and reasonableness. Students round decimals to a specified number of decimal places and connect the process of rounding up or down to prior experiences in rounding.

Online

Estimating and rounding decimals

In this lesson, students draw on prior knowledge of rounding whole numbers to develop their understanding and fluency when rounding decimals and are encouraged to reason and problem-solve through a variety of contextual activities. Students will also develop an appreciation of the role of estimation in mathematics and science.

Online

Equivalent fractions and the use of the number line

This is a website designed for both teachers and students that addresses equivalent fractions from the Australian Curriculum for year 7 students. It contains material on equivalent fractions, and explains how equivalence can be demonstrated on the number line. There are pages for both teachers and students. The student ...

Downloadable

Diagnostic task: Volume of prisms

Use these diagnostic tasks, Volume of prisms (1) and Volume of prisms (2), to assess a student’s understanding of working out the volume of rectangular prisms and a formula for volume.

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. Free when reviewed on 12/5/2015.

Online

Data in Gapminder world

This resource is a dataset providing data for a number of indicators of development over time for more than 200 countries. The indicators fall into the following categories: population, health, economy, environment, work, infrastructure, energy and education, with over 500 sets of data in total. Each set of data can be ...

Online

Creating my own spreadsheet to convert binary to decimal

A spreadsheet can be used to do calculations quickly using formulas. How can we make a spreadsheet that converts a binary number to a decimal number? This lesson provides some guidance and Excel files for student and teacher use.

Online

Countries of birth

This is a web resource that includes four student activities about data interpretation, accompanied by a teacher guide for each activity. Activities include investigating changes in country of birth by collecting and displaying data from students, their parents and grandparents and comparing the 1901 and 2006 Australian ...

Interactive

Converting decimals to percentages

This interactive resource consists of a series of questions about converting decimals into percentages. The viewer is required to convert a decimal number into a percentage and enter the answer in a window on the screen. The answer can be checked and, if correct, the viewer moves to the next question. Help is available ...

Online

Conduct statistical investigations: Year 7 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 7 is for the topic of Conduct statistical investigations. Student have been learning about measures of spread in terms of mean, median, mode and range. They use these values to interpret data and data displays. They are familiar with statistical terminology and are ready to conduct their ...

Online

Conduct chance experiments: Year 7 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 7 is for the topic of Conduct chance experiments. Students predict the frequency of an outcome of repeated chance experiments. They conduct simulations using digital tools to generate and record the outcomes, and observe the effect of many trials on the outcome. They then compare observed ...

Video

Comparing fuel consumption

Is it more fuel efficient to drive or fly between two places? Watch this clip and learn how to calculate the answer. What are the various factors that need to be taken into account? This video was made using the American measurement of gallons per hour, American firgures for the average number of passengers in a car and ...

Online

Circles and cylinders: Year 7 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 7 is for the topic of Circles and cylinders. Students are introduced to the radius, diameter and circumference of a circle. They understand the relationships between these measures and can use relevant formulae to solve problems.

Video

Catalyst: Take the Phi Golden challenge

The golden ratio, Phi: fact or fallacy? What about the Fibonacci sequence? We are told this ratio and its cousin Fibonacci occur everywhere in nature. Let's see which of these claims stacks up when put to the test.

Video

Catalyst: Small scale measurements

What units of measurements do we use to describe incredibly small things like blood cells and atoms? Watch as you are taken on a journey to explain the different units of measurement that we use to describe the very small.

Video

Catalyst: Probability and the gambler's fallacy

Mathematician Lily Serna visits Luna Park to explain a great probability pitfall. She shares a century-old tale from Monte Carlo casino, and then she puts its lesson to the test. If you flip a coin and it lands on heads three times in a row, what result would you predict for the next flip? Find out why intuition might land ...

Video

Catalyst: Probability and the birthday paradox

Even when a maths problem seems simple – for example, the chance of two people sharing a birthday – the maths can run counter to our human intuition. Mathematician Lily Serna poses a maths problem to the Clovelly Bowling Club: how many people do you need to gather to get a 50 per cent chance of any two people in that group ...

Video

Catalyst: Prime numbers and unbreakable codes

Imagine if anyone was able to read all our secret, encrypted messages and information. Watch and find out how scientists at the Australian National University are developing a new encryption system using quantum physics and quantum computing.

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 ...

Video

Can you guess the weight of Uluru?

What is the "wisdom of a crowd"? Mathematician Lily Serna investigates a mathematical phenomenon that suggests that if you have a large enough crowd, with a broad variety of people making estimates, then the mean (average) answer of the crowd will be accurate! Find out if a crowd can guess the weight of Uluru from the ground ...

Text

Can you find your eight’s optimal training regime?

This resource is a web page containing an interactive resource to investigate the effect on a time trial or race after changes to a training regime. This is a useful resource to discuss how to conduct a fair test and get reliable data. Record results from trials in a table to analyse results. This resource is an activity ...

Downloadable

Can you beat the system?

In this lesson, students calculate the average expected value of losses on a roulette wheel over time, and use these values to analyse the cost of gambling on these games. They also study the flaws inherent in betting systems to determine whether these systems are weighted in the favour of game operators making a profit. ...

Interactive

Brackets

A short, animated tutorial about expanding brackets, followed by an interactive quiz.

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.

Text

BBC Bitesize: fractions - revision

This is a set of information sheets dealing with fraction concepts, terminology and calculations. Students are presented with practice questions and have access to a short test to assess their learning. This resource is one of a series of online resources from the BBC's Bitesize collection.