Year 10 Mathematics – Term 1 (WA Curriculum): Advanced Number and Algebraic Reasoning

What this unit covers

In Term 1, Year 10 Mathematics in the WA Curriculum centres on the unit “Advanced Number and Algebraic Reasoning”.

Students develop fluency with real number inequalities, index laws, quadratic and exponential functions, and apply mathematical reasoning to financial contexts.

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. Expressing Real Number Inequalities from Worded Statements
2. Representing Inequalities Algebraically and on Number Lines
3. Solving and Graphing Compound Inequalities
4. Understanding Absolute Error in Real Number Calculations
5. Calculating and Interpreting Percentage Error
6. Comparing Exact and Approximate Results Using Error Analysis
7. Reviewing Index Laws with Positive Integer Indices
8. Extending Index Laws to Negative Integer Indices
9. Applying Index Laws with Variable Bases
10. Simplifying Expressions Using Negative Index Laws
11. Substituting Values into Linear Real-Life Formulas
12. Working with Quadratic Formulas in Real-Life Contexts
13. Exploring Simple Exponential Formulas and Applications
14. Using Technology to Solve Formula-Based Problems
15. Expanding Binomial Products Systematically
16. Connecting Expansion to Factorisation of Monic Quadratics
17. Factorising Quadratics Using Multiple Strategies
18. Solving Linear Inequalities Using Balance Methods
19. Representing Inequality Solutions on Number Lines
20. Verifying Inequality Solutions by Substitution
21. Solving Systems of Linear Equations Graphically
22. Finding Points of Intersection and Verifying Solutions
23. Exploring Quadratic Functions and Their Key Features
24. Solving Simple Quadratic Equations of the Form ax² + c = k
25. Investigating Exponential Function Characteristics
26. Distinguishing Between Linear, Quadratic and Exponential Functions
27. Calculating Income Tax Using Tax Tables
28. Developing the Compound Interest Formula from Simple Interest
29. Solving Compound Interest Problems
30. Interpreting and Communicating Mathematical Findings in Context

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.