Year 8 Mathematics – Term 4 (WA Curriculum): Rational Numbers, Algebraic Thinking and Geometric Measurement

What this unit covers

In Term 4, Year 8 Mathematics in the WA Curriculum centres on the unit “Rational Numbers, Algebraic Thinking and Geometric Measurement”.

Students explore rational and irrational numbers, develop algebraic skills with index laws and linear relationships, and investigate geometric properties and measurement of 2D and 3D shapes.

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 a Number Line Using Correct Notation
5. Multiplying and Dividing Positive and Negative Integers
6. Extending Integer Operations to All Rational Numbers
7. Applying Order of Operations with Rational Numbers
8. Solving Problems Using Equivalent Ratios and Proportions
9. Calculating Unknown Values in Ratio and Fraction Problems
10. Identifying and Interpreting Rates in Real-World Contexts
11. Comparing Rates and Unit Rates in Problem Solving
12. Calculating Percentage Increases Using Mental Strategies
13. Calculating Percentage Decreases Using Efficient Methods
14. Multiplying Integers Using Flexible Strategies
15. Dividing Integers and Checking Reasonableness
16. Applying Index Laws with Positive Integer Indices
17. Using Index Laws with Zero Indices and Powers
18. Simplifying Algebraic Expressions Using Number Laws
19. Creating and Simplifying Expressions with Four Operations
20. Factorising Algebraic Expressions with Common Factors
21. Solving Linear Equations Using Balance and Substitution Methods
22. Solving Quadratic Equations of the Form x² = k
23. Graphing Linear Relationships on the Cartesian Plane
24. Exploring Financial Mathematics: Payment Methods and Penalties
25. Calculating Perimeter and Area of Parallelograms and Trapeziums
26. Investigating Circle Relationships: Circumference and Area Formulas
27. Applying Pythagoras' Theorem to Right-Angled Triangles
28. Exploring Properties and Angles in Quadrilaterals
29. Identifying Congruent Figures Using Transformations
30. Calculating Volume of Prisms and Converting Units

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 4

WA terms run roughly 9–11 weeks, and in 2026 Term 4 runs from Monday 12 October to Thursday 17 December — 10 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.