Number+and+Algebra

The Number and Algebra strand is one of three strands in the Australian Mathematics Curriculum. The collected concepts within this strand are divided into specific content descriptors in each year level. These content descriptors explain the knowledge, concepts, skills and processes that teachers and students are expected to teach and learn (ACARA, 2012). The four proficiency strands: //Understanding, Fluency, Problem Solving and Reasoning// interconnect with the content descriptors. The proficiency strands illustrate the extent of mathematical action a teacher can accentuate (ACARA, 2012).

Within the Number and Algebra strand there are six sub strands. The focus content in the early years is on number and towards the senior years the content focus develops into algebra (Australian Government, 2009).

__**Sub Strands:**__
 * Number and place value (Yrs F-8):** Number sense is the appreciation and understanding of information presented in mathematical terms (Booker, Bond, Sparrow & Swan 2004 p.8). Place value is the value of digit as determined by its position in a number relative to the ones (or units) place (ACARA, 2012 p.64).


 * Fractions and decimals (Yrs 1-6):** Fraction ideas refer to the different mathematical ways of dealing with parts of things (Booker, Bond, Sparrow & Swan 2004 p. 133). A fraction is made up of a numerator (on the top) and a denominator (on the bottom). Decimal numbers are like fractions because they count part of a whole. A decimal is a numeral in the decimal number system (ACARA, 2012 p.49)**.**


 * Real numbers (Yrs 7-10):** A real number is rational if it can be expressed as a quotient of integers (ACARA, 2012 p. 61). Every real number has a decimal expansion (ACARA, 2012 p. 67)**.**


 * Money and financial mathematics (Yrs 1-10):** Money provides the units used to measure the value or cost placed on objects (Booker, Bond, Sparrow & Swan 2004, p.467).


 * Patterns and algebra (F-10):** Patterns are essential to mathematical thinking and build an understanding and lays the foundation for work with symbols and algebraic expressions. Algebra uses letters to signify numbers and number patterns (Booker, Bond, Sparrow & Swan 2004 p. 173).


 * Linear and non-linear relationships (Yrs 8-10):** A linear equation is an equation involving just linear terms, that is, polynomials of degree 1 (ACARA, 2012 p.58).

The following document is a brief overview of the Australian Mathematics Curriculum //content structure// and //proficiency strands// and the Number and Algebra strand. This information was used to clarify our thinking in beginning discussions. It informed our choice of sub-strand and helped us to make connections to the whole strand of Number and Algerbra