Mathematics
The Australian Curriculum: Mathematics is organised around three content strands and four proficiency strands. The content strands are Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, and Statistics and Probability. The proficiency strands are Understanding, Fluency, Problem Solving, and Reasoning.
Content strands
Number and Algebra
Students apply number sense and strategies for counting and representing numbers. They apply a range of strategies for computation and understand the connections between operations.
They recognise patterns and build on their understanding of the number system to describe relationships and formulate generalisations. They recognise equivalence and solve equations and inequalities. This strand includes topics such place value, addition, subtraction, multiplicative thinking, fractions, decimals and money.
Measurement and Geometry
Students develop an understanding of size, shape, relative position and movement of two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects. They make meaningful measurements of quantities, choosing appropriate metric units of measurement. They build an understanding of the connections between units and calculate measures such as perimeter, area, volume and speed.
Statistics and Probability
Students recognise and analyse data and draw inferences. They represent, summarise and interpret data and undertake purposeful investigations involving the collection and interpretation of data. They assess likelihood and assign probabilities.
Proficiency strands
Understanding
Students build a robust knowledge of adaptable and transferable mathematical concepts. They make connections between related concepts and progressively apply the familiar to develop new ideas.
Fluency
Students are fluent when they can calculate answers efficiently, when they recognise ways of answering questions, when they choose appropriate methods and approximations, when they recall definitions and regularly use facts, and when they can manipulate expressions and equations to find solutions.
Problem Solving
Students develop the ability to make choices, interpret, formulate, model and investigate problem situations, and communicate solutions effectively.
Reasoning
Students are reasoning mathematically when they explain their thinking, when they deduce and justify strategies used and conclusions reached, when they adapt the known to the unknown, when they transfer learning from one context to another, when they prove that something is true or false and when they explain their choices.