Year 8 Mathematics – Term 1 (WA Curriculum): Number Systems, Algebra and Real-World Applications

What this unit covers

In Term 1, Year 8 Mathematics in the WA Curriculum centres on the unit “Number Systems, Algebra and Real-World Applications”.

Students explore rational and irrational numbers, develop algebraic thinking, and apply mathematical reasoning to solve real-world problems involving percentages, ratios, and financial mathematics.

Lesson sequence (30 lessons)

The unit breaks down into the following lesson-by-lesson sequence — each title below is a teachable lesson, in order:

1. Investigating Rational Numbers: Fractions, Decimals and Percentages
2. Exploring Irrational Numbers: Square Roots and Pi
3. Comparing and Ordering Rational and Irrational Numbers
4. Locating Numbers on the Number Line
5. Understanding Negative Numbers in Real-World Contexts
6. Multiplying Positive and Negative Integers Using Patterns
7. Dividing Positive and Negative Integers
8. Applying Order of Operations with Rational Numbers
9. Solving Problems Using the Four Operations on Rational Numbers
10. Introduction to Ratios and Equivalent Ratios
11. Finding Unknown Values in Equivalent Ratios
12. Converting Between Ratios and Fractions
13. Dividing Quantities in Given Ratios
14. Understanding Rates in Everyday Life
15. Comparing Rates to Make Better Purchasing Decisions
16. Interpreting Rate Graphs and Time-Distance Relationships
17. Calculating Percentage Increases Using Mental Strategies
18. Calculating Percentage Decreases Using Mental Strategies
19. Solving Real-World Percentage Problems
20. Multiplying Integers Using Flexible Strategies
21. Dividing Integers Using Efficient Methods
22. Working with Numbers in Index Form
23. Introduction to Index Laws with Positive Integers
24. Applying Index Laws to Simplify Expressions
25. Simplifying Algebraic Expressions Using Number Properties
26. Factorising Expressions with Common Factors
27. Solving Linear Equations Using Balance Methods
28. Understanding Quadratic Equations of the Form x² = k
29. Graphing Linear Relationships and Interpreting Solutions
30. Exploring Payment Methods and Financial Decision Making

Curriculum codes in this unit

Content codes:

Reading the codes: WA codes (the ones starting with WA) pack the year level, learning area, strand and content number into one string, while the national Australian Curriculum v9 uses a different anatomy that starts with AC9 — same content family, different labels. Our complete WA Curriculum guide decodes both, character by character.

Planning notes for Term 1

WA terms run roughly 9–11 weeks, and in 2026 Term 1 runs from Monday 2 February to Thursday 2 April — 9 weeks for WA public schools. With 30 lessons in this unit, that leaves breathing room for assessment, moderation and the weeks that disappear to carnivals, camps and public holidays — plan the assessable work to land two to three weeks before the end of term rather than in the final week.