Understanding algebraic equations is important because they help us make sense of real-life problems. Equations are like puzzles that show the relationship between numbers. When we solve them, we find unknown information — just like figuring out a mystery. Algebra is used in everyday life: calculating discounts when shopping, planning budgets, working out distances and travel times, or sharing costs fairly with friends. Learning to build and solve equations gives us tools to think logically and solve problems confidently.

Algebraic expressions are a way of using numbers, letters, and symbols to show patterns and relationships. Instead of writing every step in words, we can use algebra to represent ideas more simply. Learning about algebraic expressions helps us to solve problems, make predictions, and apply mathematics to real-life situations like costs, measurements, and patterns. By understanding how to form, simplify, and use expressions, we build strong problem-solving skills that prepare us for higher levels of maths and everyday challenges.

This is a Bonus video that you can watch at home to refresh what we are learning in class.

Algebra is important because it helps us understand and describe patterns in numbers and in real life. When we look at a sequence like 3, 6, 9, 12 … we can see it grows by three each time. Instead of writing out the whole sequence, we use the nth term to find any number in the pattern quickly. The letter n stands for the position in the sequence. This skill is powerful in real life too — from working out costs in a phone plan to predicting how much material is needed in construction. Algebra is a tool for problem-solving everywhere.

Area and perimeter are important ideas in mathematics that help us understand the size and space of different shapes. Perimeter measures the distance around a shape, like the length of a fence around a garden. Area measures the space inside a shape, such as the surface of a classroom floor. By learning how to calculate area and perimeter for rectangles, triangles, and circles, we can solve real-life problems and see how math connects to the world around us.

This is a guide to what we will be learning this week about Perimeter and Area. There may be some challenges along the way, but don’t feel discouraged.

This week in Math, we will continue exploring Ratios, making sure everyone feels confident with comparing and simplifying them. Ratios help us describe relationships between numbers in real-life situations, such as recipes, maps, and sports statistics. Once we finish reviewing Ratios, we will take our first steps into Algebra. 

Algebra builds on what we already know and helps us use symbols (like letters) to represent unknown numbers. This is an exciting new stage in our learning, as it opens the door to solving more complex problems and developing stronger mathematical thinking.

This week, we continue exploring percentages, a way of expressing numbers as parts of 100. Understanding percentages helps us make sense of discounts in shops, sports statistics, interest rates, and even school test results. We’ll learn how to calculate percentages, find percentage increases or decreases, and solve real-world problems using this skill.

Once we’ve built a strong foundation in percentages, we’ll move into ratios. Ratios allow us to compare quantities, such as mixing ingredients in a recipe, sharing costs between friends, or scaling up a design.

These two topics are closely connected and have many practical uses in everyday life. By the end of these lessons, you’ll be able to confidently apply both percentages and ratios to solve problems — not just in the classroom, but in situations you’ll encounter beyond school.

Bring your curiosity — and your calculator (yes!) — as we get started!

A ratio is a way of comparing two or more quantities. We see ratios everywhere — in recipes, sports scores, maps, and even mixing paint colours. Understanding ratios helps us solve problems, share things fairly, and make accurate comparisons. In this topic, we’ll learn how to write, simplify, and use ratios to describe real-life situations clearly and effectively.

This week, we will continue working with percentages, moving into slightly more complex numbers. Please take some time to review the materials we covered last week, as well as the new resources provided this week.

These are the problems that we will solve this week.

Why Learning Percentages Matters

Understanding percentages is an essential life skill that helps us make informed decisions every day. From calculating discounts while shopping, understanding interest rates on savings, reading statistics in the news, to figuring out sports stats or grades—percentages are everywhere! They help us compare values, understand proportions, and manage money wisely. Whether you're budgeting for a school trip or checking how much battery your phone has left, percentages make numbers easier to interpret. Learning how to calculate percentages empowers students to be smart, confident problem-solvers in the real world.

Over the next couple of weeks, we will be revisiting the four main mathematical operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Our focus will be on strengthening our skills through both straightforward algebraic exercises and real-life word problems. Word problems are especially important because they show us how these operations are used in everyday situations — they are the practical application of everything we’re learning in class.