reSolve: Algebra – addition chain

This lesson explores making algebraic generalisations of sequences. Students use spreadsheets to investigate potential arithmetic relationships and then use algebra to identify and justify which relationships are generally true. The task can be used as a springboard for an in-depth exploration of the Fibonacci sequence and develops skills in using spreadsheets. The lessons are outlined in detail including curriculum links, vocabulary, materials needed, sample answers, discussion points and student resources such as spreadsheets. This sequence is part of the reSolve: Maths by Inquiry program.

Additional details
Year level(s)	Year 8
Audience	Teacher
Purpose	Teaching resource
Format	Downloadable resources
Teaching strategies and pedagogical approaches	Mathematics investigation
Keywords	factors, pronumerals, distributivity, simplification, maths investigations, algebra
Curriculum alignment
Curriculum connections	Technologies, STEM/STEAM, Numeracy
Strand and focus	Algebra, Build understanding, Apply understanding
Topics	Patterns and algebra, Algebraic expressions
AC: Mathematics (V9.0) content descriptions	AC9M8A01 Create, expand, factorise, rearrange and simplify linear expressions, applying the associative, commutative, identity, distributive and inverse properties
Numeracy progression	Number patterns and algebraic thinking (P7)
Copyright details
Organisation	ReSolve: Maths by Inquiry
Copyright	© Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment 2021. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0.