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Patterns and algebra in the Australian Curriculum

Patterns, relationships, expressions and equations. 45 content descriptions from Version 9.0, by year level.

Foundation

  • AC9MFA01

    recognise, copy and continue repeating patterns represented in different ways

    Algebra

    Plan this

All Foundation Mathematics

Year 1

  • AC9M1A01

    recognise, continue and create pattern sequences, with numbers, symbols, shapes and objects, formed by skip counting, initially by twos, fives and tens

    Algebra

    Plan this

  • AC9M1A02

    recognise, continue and create repeating patterns with numbers, symbols, shapes and objects, identifying the repeating unit

    Algebra

    Plan this

  • AC9M1ST01

    acquire and record data for categorical variables in various ways including using digital tools, objects, images, drawings, lists, tally marks and symbols

    Statistics

    Plan this

  • AC9M1ST02

    represent collected data for a categorical variable using one-to-one displays and digital tools where appropriate; compare the data using frequencies and discuss the findings

    Statistics

    Plan this

All Year 1 Mathematics

Year 2

  • AC9M2A01

    recognise, describe and create additive patterns that increase or decrease by a constant amount, using numbers, shapes and objects, and identify missing elements in the pattern

    Algebra

    Plan this

  • AC9M2ST01

    acquire data for categorical variables through surveys, observation, experiment and using digital tools; sort data into relevant categories and display data using lists and tables

    Statistics

    Plan this

All Year 2 Mathematics

Year 3

  • AC9M3N07

    follow and create algorithms involving a sequence of steps and decisions to investigate numbers; describe any emerging patterns

    Number

    Plan this

  • AC9M3ST01

    acquire data for categorical and discrete numerical variables to address a question of interest or purpose by observing, collecting and accessing data sets; record the data using appropriate methods including frequency tables and spreadsheets

    Statistics

    Plan this

  • AC9M3ST03

    conduct guided statistical investigations involving the collection, representation and interpretation of data for categorical and discrete numerical variables with respect to questions of interest

    Statistics

    Plan this

All Year 3 Mathematics

Year 4

  • AC9M4N09

    follow and create algorithms involving a sequence of steps and decisions that use addition or multiplication to generate sets of numbers; identify and describe any emerging patterns

    Number

    Plan this

  • AC9M4A01

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

    Algebra

    Plan this

  • AC9M4SP03

    recognise line and rotational symmetry of shapes and create symmetrical patterns and pictures, using dynamic geometric software where appropriate

    Space

    Plan this

  • AC9M4ST01

    acquire data for categorical and discrete numerical variables to address a question of interest or purpose, using digital tools; represent data using many-to-one pictographs, column graphs and other displays or visualisations; interpret and discuss the information that has been created

    Statistics

    Plan this

All Year 4 Mathematics

Year 5

  • AC9M5N10

    create and use algorithms involving a sequence of steps and decisions and digital tools to experiment with factors, multiples and divisibility; identify, interpret and describe emerging patterns

    Number

    Plan this

  • AC9M5A02

    find unknown values in numerical equations involving multiplication and division using the properties of numbers and operations

    Algebra

    Plan this

  • AC9M5ST01

    acquire, validate and represent data for nominal and ordinal categorical and discrete numerical variables, to address a question of interest or purpose using software including spreadsheets; discuss and report on data distributions in terms of highest frequency (mode) and shape, in the context of the data

    Statistics

    Plan this

All Year 5 Mathematics

Year 6

  • AC9M6A01

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

    Algebra

    Plan this

  • AC9M6A02

    find unknown values in numerical equations involving brackets and combinations of arithmetic operations, using the properties of numbers and operations

    Algebra

    Plan this

  • AC9M6A03

    create and use algorithms involving a sequence of steps and decisions that use rules to generate sets of numbers; identify, interpret and explain emerging patterns

    Algebra

    Plan this

  • AC9M6SP03

    recognise and use combinations of transformations to create tessellations and other geometric patterns, using dynamic geometric software where appropriate

    Space

    Plan this

  • AC9M6ST01

    interpret and compare data sets for ordinal and nominal categorical, discrete and continuous numerical variables using comparative displays or visualisations and digital tools; compare distributions in terms of mode, range and shape

    Statistics

    Plan this

All Year 6 Mathematics

Year 7

  • AC9M7A01

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

    Algebra

    Plan this

  • AC9M7A02

    formulate algebraic expressions using constants, variables, operations and brackets

    Algebra

    Plan this

  • AC9M7A03

    solve one-variable linear equations with natural number solutions; verify the solution by substitution

    Algebra

    Plan this

  • AC9M7A04

    describe relationships between variables represented in graphs of functions from authentic data

    Algebra

    Plan this

  • AC9M7A05

    generate tables of values from visually growing patterns or the rule of a function; describe and plot these relationships on the Cartesian plane

    Algebra

    Plan this

  • AC9M7A06

    manipulate formulas involving several variables using digital tools, and describe the effect of systematic variation in the values of the variables

    Algebra

    Plan this

  • AC9M7ST01

    acquire data sets for discrete and continuous numerical variables and calculate the range, median, mean and mode; make and justify decisions about which measures of central tendency provide useful insights into the nature of the distribution of data

    Statistics

    Plan this

  • AC9M7ST03

    plan and conduct statistical investigations involving data for discrete and continuous numerical variables; analyse and interpret distributions of data and report findings in terms of shape and summary statistics

    Statistics

    Plan this

All Year 7 Mathematics

Year 8

  • AC9M8A01

    create, expand, factorise, rearrange and simplify linear expressions, applying the associative, commutative, identity, distributive and inverse properties

    Algebra

    Plan this

  • AC9M8A02

    graph linear relations on the Cartesian plane using digital tools where appropriate; solve linear equations and one-variable inequalities using graphical and algebraic techniques; verify solutions by substitution

    Algebra

    Plan this

  • AC9M8A04

    experiment with linear functions and relations using digital tools, making and testing conjectures and generalising emerging patterns

    Algebra

    Plan this

All Year 8 Mathematics

Year 9

  • AC9M9A01

    apply the exponent laws to numerical expressions with integer exponents and extend to variables

    Algebra

    Plan this

  • AC9M9A02

    simplify algebraic expressions, expand binomial products and factorise monic quadratic expressions

    Algebra

    Plan this

  • AC9M9A04

    identify and graph quadratic functions, solve quadratic equations graphically and numerically, and solve monic quadratic equations with integer roots algebraically, using graphing software and digital tools as appropriate

    Algebra

    Plan this

  • AC9M9A06

    experiment with the effects of the variation of parameters on graphs of related functions, using digital tools, making connections between graphical and algebraic representations, and generalising emerging patterns

    Algebra

    Plan this

  • AC9M9ST03

    represent the distribution of multiple data sets for numerical variables using comparative representations; compare data distributions with consideration of centre, spread and shape, and the effect of outliers on these measures

    Statistics

    Plan this

All Year 9 Mathematics

Year 10

  • AC9M10A01

    expand, factorise and simplify expressions and solve equations algebraically, applying exponent laws involving products, quotients and powers of variables, and the distributive property

    Algebra

    Plan this

  • AC9M10A02

    solve linear inequalities and simultaneous linear equations in 2 variables; interpret solutions graphically and communicate solutions in terms of the situation

    Algebra

    Plan this

  • AC9M10A03

    recognise the connection between algebraic and graphical representations of exponential relations and solve related exponential equations, using digital tools where appropriate

    Algebra

    Plan this

  • AC9M10A05

    experiment with functions and relations using digital tools, making and testing conjectures and generalising emerging patterns

    Algebra

    Plan this

  • AC9M10ST02

    compare data distributions for continuous numerical variables using appropriate data displays including boxplots; discuss the shapes of these distributions in terms of centre, spread, shape and outliers in the context of the data

    Statistics

    Plan this

  • AC9M10ST03

    construct scatterplots and comment on the association between the 2 numerical variables in terms of strength, direction and linearity

    Statistics

    Plan this

  • AC9M10ST04

    construct two-way tables and discuss possible relationship between categorical variables

    Statistics

    Plan this

All Year 10 Mathematics

Questions teachers ask

Where does patterns and algebra appear in the Australian Curriculum?
45 Mathematics content descriptions from Foundation to Year 10 mention patterns and algebra. They are listed here by year with their codes.
Can Heapso make patterns and algebra worksheets?
Yes. Choose "Plan this" next to a content description for a lesson set to that year, or make a worksheet at three levels so every student can practise the same skill.

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© Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) 2010 to present, unless otherwise indicated. This material was downloaded from the Australian Curriculum website (accessed 18 October 2026) and was not modified. The material is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

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