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What’s new
in Yr 8
Maths?
Main content of Yr 8
Maths?
Common challenges for students in Yr 8
Maths?
Main outcomes for Yr 8
Maths?
Most important concepts to ensure your child understands
in Yr 8 Maths?
If you chose to get a tutor, study habits and content
to focus on in Yr 8 Maths?
Main challenges involved in tutoring a Yr 8 Maths
student?
Some good ideas on how to help your child in Yr 8
Maths?
What’s new in Year 8 Maths?
Prime factors are introduced in year 8 maths. For probability,
complementary events and simple probability problems are taught. Equivalence and substitution in solving
algebraic equations are new topics this year as well as solving linear equations and algebra word
problems.
Frequency tables, histograms and polygons are introduced as means of data representation and to analyse data,
median, mode and range will be taught alongside mean. For circles, circumferences will be new introductions and
prisms will be studied for volume. Measurement of time this year will include using international time zones. In
geometry, Euler’s relationship and isometric drawings will be new. Also, parallel and perpendicular lines alongside
the angles they make will be studied.
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Main content of Year 8 Maths
Year 8 is when students will learn about
prime factors and use ratios and rates to solve problems. It is also in this year that the maths
curriculum will include using and solving simple algebraic equations especially by factorisation and
substitution. Linear equations will also be introduced as well as graphs to represent linear relationships.
Graphs will also feature in data analyses where the proper use of them, and the types of variables that can
be represented, will be learnt. Circumferences and areas of circles as well as volumes of prisms will lead on
to conversion between metric units. Congruent figures, isometric drawings and solving for angles will be the
core of space geometry for this year.
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Common challenges for students in Year 8 Maths
Students in year 8 maths may find the more advanced sections of
space geometry difficult. Euler’s relationship and isometric drawings are common areas of difficulty.
Solving algebraic expressions and algebra word problems may also pose a challenge to students in this
year.
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Main outcomes for Year 8 Maths
At the end of this year, students should be able to work with
integers, prime factors, rates and ratios as well as work with simple probability events. Students should
likewise be able to solve simple inequalities and liner equations with algebraic techniques. Year 8 is when
linear relationships on graphs and number plane should be well understood. Skills in geometry should include
the ability to calculate the surface areas and volumes of solid shapes e.g. cylinders and prisms.
Students at this time should also be able to identify the conditions for congruency in 2-dimensional figures
and identify angles formed by lines intersecting other parallel lines.
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Most important concepts to ensure your child understands in Year 8
Maths
Year 8 is when you want your child to have a good grasp of linear
equations, algebraic equations and working with solid shape geometry. The algebra should be particularly
focussed on; although it is relatively simple at this stage, the use of algebra will eventually be
required to solve just about any problem. Algebra is to mathematics what grammar is to language.
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If hiring a tutor, what study habits and content to
focus on in Year 8 Maths?
The focus in year 8 maths should be understanding the different
methods of solving linear and algebraic equations. The best way is to have the tutor provide a lot of
exercise for your child. Learning solid shape geometry may require some visual aid which a capable tutor can
easily provide.
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Main challenges involved in tutoring a Year 8 Maths
student
Thinking in spatial geometry is one major challenge in year 8,
especially in the face of the other major challenge: algebraic and linear equations which demand learning to
think of mathematical expressions in letters and not only numbers
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Some good ideas on how to help your child in Year 8
Maths
Give the child ample time and opportunity to solve problems in his/her area of difficulty and encourage that your
child "explores" the mathematics. There will be an increasing number of ways to go about solving problems in math
and exploring the possibilities really develops problem solving skills. Space geometry is best learned
with models of those figures. You should consider getting a capable tutor who can provide
these.
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