Year 8 Mathematics - Student Portfolio Summary

Mathematics
WORK SAMPLE PORTFOLIOS
These work sample portfolios have been designed to illustrate satisfactory achievement in the relevant aspects of the
achievement standard.
The December 2011 work sample portfolios are a resource to support planning and implementation of the Foundation to
Year 10 Australian Curriculum in English, Mathematics, Science and History during 2012. They comprise collections of
different students work annotated to highlight evidence of student learning of different aspects of the achievement standard.
The work samples vary in terms of how much time was available to complete the task or the degree of scaffolding
provided by the teacher.
There is no pre-determined number of samples required in a portfolio nor are the work samples sequenced in any
particular order. These initial work sample portfolios do not constitute a complete set of work samples - they provide
evidence of most (but not necessarily all) aspects of the achievement standard.
As the Australian Curriculum in English, Mathematics, Science and History is implemented by schools in 2012, the
work sample portfolios will be reviewed and enhanced by drawing on classroom practice and will reflect a more
systematic collection of evidence from teaching and learning programs.

THIS PORTFOLIO YEAR 8 MATHEMATICS

This portfolio comprises a number of work samples drawn from a range of assessment tasks, namely:
Sample 1

Financial mathematics Analysing and choosing phone plans

Sample 2

Algebraic expressions Equations

Sample 3

Using units of measurement Rain on my roof

Sample 4

Data representation and interpretation What makes a safe driver?

Sample 5

Data representation and interpretation Analysing OHS risks

Sample 6

Circumference and area of circles

Sample 7

Index laws

Sample 8

Discounts, profit and loss

Sample 9

Venn diagrams and two way tables

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 1 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Student Portfolio Summary

Mathematics
This portfolio of student work shows the efficient use of mental and written strategies to carry out the four operations
with integers (WS1) and the ability to construct, analyse and interpret graphs of linear functions (WS1). From given
information the student constructs linear equations to solve problems and graphs linear relationships on the Cartesian
plane (WS1, WS2, WS5). The student uses understanding of the index laws to simplify numerical expressions (WS7),
solves everyday problems involving rates and percentages (WS8), calculates percentage discounts and profits of items
and uses mathematical reasoning to make financial decisions. The student makes connections between expanding and
factorising algebraic expressions (WS2) to simplify a variety of algebraic expressions and solves problems involving
the volume and surface area of prisms based on authentic information (WS3). The student identifies parts of a circle
and uses information to calculate the area and circumference of a variety of circles (WS6). The student uses real data
to interpret and represent information taken from a variety of sources, uses statistical reasoning to draw conclusions
and uses Venn diagrams (WS9) and two way tables to model information and extrapolate on their findings (WS1, WS5).
The following aspects of the achievement standard are not evident in this portfolio:

describe rational and irrational numbers

make sense of time duration in real applications

identify conditions for the congruence of triangles and deduce the properties of quadrilaterals

choose appropriate language to describe events and experiments

perform calculations to determine perimeter and area of parallelograms, rhombuses and kites

determine complementary events and calculate the sum of probabilities.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 2 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 1

Mathematics
Work sample 1:
Financial mathematics Analysing and choosing
phone plans
Relevant parts of the achievement standard
By the end of Year 8, students solve everyday problems involving rates, ratios and percentages. They

recognise index laws and apply them to whole numbers. They describe rational and irrational numbers.

Students solve problems involving profit and loss. They make connections between expanding and factorising
algebraic expressions. Students solve problems relating to the volume of prisms. They make sense of

time duration in real applications. They identify conditions for the congruence of triangles and deduce the

properties of quadrilaterals. Students model authentic situations with two-way tables and Venn diagrams.

They choose appropriate language to describe events and experiments. They explain issues related to the
collection of data and the effect of outliers on means and medians in that data.

Students use efficient mental and written strategies to carry out the four operations with integers. They

simplify a variety of algebraic expressions. They solve linear equations and graph linear relationships on

the Cartesian plane. Students convert between units of measurement for area and volume. They perform
calculations to determine perimeter and area of parallelograms, rhombuses and kites. They name the

features of circles and calculate the areas and circumferences of circles. Students determine complementary
events and calculate the sum of probabilities.

Summary of task
Students were asked to use data on mobile phone plans to make judgements and decisions about the most suitable
plan. Following pre-determined questions they were required to:

construct, analyse and interpret graphs of linear functions

construct, manipulate and solve linear equations

use mathematical strategies to calculate call costs, compare payment plans, and inform financial decisions related
to mobile phone use.

The task took one lesson to complete.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 3 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 1

Mathematics
Work sample 1:
Financial mathematics Analysing and choosing
phone plans

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 4 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 1

Mathematics
Work sample 1:
Financial mathematics Analysing and choosing
phone plans
Annotations

Interprets a linear graph to find the values

of the dependant variable for given values
of the independent variable.

Calculates a rate from a graph.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 5 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 1

Mathematics
Work sample 1:
Financial mathematics Analysing and choosing
phone plans
Annotations
Finds linear equations for a graph.

Solves linear equations for both

dependent and independent variables.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 6 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 1

Mathematics
Work sample 1:
Financial mathematics Analysing and choosing
phone plans
Annotations

Completes table of values for a given

linear relationship.

Lists ordered pairs from table of values.

Graphs linear relationships on the

Cartesian plane.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 7 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 1

Mathematics
Work sample 1:
Financial mathematics Analysing and choosing
phone plans
Annotations
Uses an effective written strategy to carry
out subtraction and division.

Models an authentic problem using

provided scaffold.

Justifies solution.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 8 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 1

Mathematics
Work sample 1:
Financial mathematics Analysing and choosing
phone plans
Annotations

Justifies solution.

Acknowledgment
ACARA acknowledges the contribution of the Queensland Studies Authority for providing the tasks and work samples. The annotations are referenced to the Australian
Curriculum achievement standards.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 9 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 2

Mathematics
Work sample 2:
Algebraic expressions Equations
Relevant parts of the achievement standard
By the end of Year 8, students solve everyday problems involving rates, ratios and percentages. They

recognise index laws and apply them to whole numbers. They describe rational and irrational numbers.

Students solve problems involving profit and loss. They make connections between expanding and factorising
algebraic expressions. Students solve problems relating to the volume of prisms. They make sense of

time duration in real applications. They identify conditions for the congruence of triangles and deduce the

properties of quadrilaterals. Students model authentic situations with two-way tables and Venn diagrams.

They choose appropriate language to describe events and experiments. They explain issues related to the
collection of data and the effect of outliers on means and medians in that data.

Students use efficient mental and written strategies to carry out the four operations with integers. They

simplify a variety of algebraic expressions. They solve linear equations and graph linear relationships on

the Cartesian plane. Students convert between units of measurement for area and volume. They perform
calculations to determine perimeter and area of parallelograms, rhombuses and kites. They name the

features of circles and calculate the areas and circumferences of circles. Students determine complementary
events and calculate the sum of probabilities.

Summary of task
Students were presented with a number of two-step equations to solve. They completed the solutions in one period.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 10 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 2

Mathematics
Work sample 2:
Algebraic expressions Equations
Annotations

Solves an equation using various

techniques including order of operation,
expansion and simplification.

Acknowledgment
ACARA acknowledges the contribution of trial school teachers and students for providing the tasks and work samples. The annotations are referenced to the Australian
Curriculum achievement standards.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 11 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 3

Mathematics
Work sample 3:
Using units of measurement Rain on my roof
Relevant parts of the achievement standard
By the end of Year 8, students solve everyday problems involving rates, ratios and percentages. They

recognise index laws and apply them to whole numbers. They describe rational and irrational numbers.

Students solve problems involving profit and loss. They make connections between expanding and factorising
algebraic expressions. Students solve problems relating to the volume of prisms. They make sense of

time duration in real applications. They identify conditions for the congruence of triangles and deduce the

properties of quadrilaterals. Students model authentic situations with two-way tables and Venn diagrams.

They choose appropriate language to describe events and experiments. They explain issues related to the
collection of data and the effect of outliers on means and medians in that data.

Students use efficient mental and written strategies to carry out the four operations with integers. They

simplify a variety of algebraic expressions. They solve linear equations and graph linear relationships on

the Cartesian plane. Students convert between units of measurement for area and volume. They perform
calculations to determine perimeter and area of parallelograms, rhombuses and kites. They name the

features of circles and calculate the areas and circumferences of circles. Students determine complementary
events and calculate the sum of probabilities.

Summary of task
As part of an extended task, students solved authentic problems relating to volume and surface area.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 12 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 3

Mathematics
Work sample 3:
Using units of measurement Rain on my roof
Annotations

Determines how to convert area and

depth to amount of rainfall, creating valid
expressions, despite calculation error.

Acknowledgment
ACARA acknowledges the contribution of trial school teachers and students for providing the tasks and work samples. The annotations are referenced to the Australian
Curriculum achievement standards.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 13 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 4

Mathematics
Work sample 4:
Data representation and interpretation What makes a
safe driver?
Relevant parts of the achievement standard
By the end of Year 8, students solve everyday problems involving rates, ratios and percentages. They

recognise index laws and apply them to whole numbers. They describe rational and irrational numbers.

Students solve problems involving profit and loss. They make connections between expanding and factorising
algebraic expressions. Students solve problems relating to the volume of prisms. They make sense of

time duration in real applications. They identify conditions for the congruence of triangles and deduce the

properties of quadrilaterals. Students model authentic situations with two-way tables and Venn diagrams.

They choose appropriate language to describe events and experiments. They explain issues related to the
collection of data and the effect of outliers on means and medians in that data.

Students use efficient mental and written strategies to carry out the four operations with integers. They

simplify a variety of algebraic expressions. They solve linear equations and graph linear relationships on

the Cartesian plane. Students convert between units of measurement for area and volume. They perform
calculations to determine perimeter and area of parallelograms, rhombuses and kites. They name the

features of circles and calculate the areas and circumferences of circles. Students determine complementary
events and calculate the sum of probabilities.

Summary of task
Students have studied median mode and median data sets.
Students were required to collect data from the Census at Schools database and use it to perform some analysis.
Students were asked to create a stem-and-leaf plot to interpret the data. Students compared the two values (mean and
median) and decided which is the best value to use and why.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 14 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 4

Mathematics
Work sample 4:
Data representation and interpretation What makes a
safe driver?
Annotations

Comments on data provided

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 15 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 4

Mathematics
Work sample 4:
Data representation and interpretation What makes a
safe driver?
Annotations

Highlights outliers in the data.

Collects data from a secondary source.

Calculates means and medians of data.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 16 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 4

Mathematics
Work sample 4:
Data representation and interpretation What makes a
safe driver?
Annotations

Examines the data and draws some

conclusions on compared reaction and
concentration times.

Presents data in a stem-and-leaf plot and

draws similar conclusions.

Acknowledgment
ACARA acknowledges the contribution of the Department of Education WA for providing the tasks and work samples. The annotations are referenced to the Australian
Curriculum achievement standards.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 17 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 5

Mathematics
Work sample 5:
Data representation and interpretation
Analysing OHS risks
Relevant parts of the achievement standard
By the end of Year 8, students solve everyday problems involving rates, ratios and percentages. They

recognise index laws and apply them to whole numbers. They describe rational and irrational numbers.

Students solve problems involving profit and loss. They make connections between expanding and factorising
algebraic expressions. Students solve problems relating to the volume of prisms. They make sense of

time duration in real applications. They identify conditions for the congruence of triangles and deduce the

properties of quadrilaterals. Students model authentic situations with two-way tables and Venn diagrams.

They choose appropriate language to describe events and experiments. They explain issues related to the
collection of data and the effect of outliers on means and medians in that data.

Students use efficient mental and written strategies to carry out the four operations with integers. They

simplify a variety of algebraic expressions. They solve linear equations and graph linear relationships on

the Cartesian plane. Students convert between units of measurement for area and volume. They perform
calculations to determine perimeter and area of parallelograms, rhombuses and kites. They name the

features of circles and calculate the areas and circumferences of circles. Students determine complementary
events and calculate the sum of probabilities.

Summary of task
Students had been collecting and analysing data. Students were required to complete the task below to demonstrate
their understanding. The data is provided as part of the sample.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 18 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 5

Mathematics
Work sample 5:
Data representation and interpretation
Analysing OHS risks

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 19 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 5

Mathematics
Work sample 5:
Data representation and interpretation
Analysing OHS risks

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 20 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 5

Mathematics
Work sample 5:
Data representation and interpretation
Analysing OHS risks
Annotations

Calculates mean, median, mode and

range after organising data into a
frequency distribution table.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 21 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 5

Mathematics
Work sample 5:
Data representation and interpretation
Analysing OHS risks
Annotations

Calculates median and mean.

Creates a histogram of reported

accidents.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 22 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 5

Mathematics
Work sample 5:
Data representation and interpretation
Analysing OHS risks
Annotations

Uses mathematics to justify conclusions.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 23 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 5

Mathematics
Work sample 5:
Data representation and interpretation
Analysing OHS risks
Annotations

Expresses one quantity as a percentage

of another.

Uses percentages to compare data sets.

Acknowledgment
ACARA acknowledges the contribution of trial school teachers and students for providing the tasks and work samples. The annotations are referenced to the Australian
Curriculum achievement standards.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 24 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 6

Mathematics
Work sample 6:
Circumference and area of circle
Relevant parts of the achievement standard
By the end of Year 8, students solve everyday problems involving rates, ratios and percentages. They

recognise index laws and apply them to whole numbers. They describe rational and irrational numbers.

Students solve problems involving profit and loss. They make connections between expanding and factorising
algebraic expressions. Students solve problems relating to the volume of prisms. They make sense of

time duration in real applications. They identify conditions for the congruence of triangles and deduce the

properties of quadrilaterals. Students model authentic situations with two-way tables and Venn diagrams.

They choose appropriate language to describe events and experiments. They explain issues related to the
collection of data and the effect of outliers on means and medians in that data.

Students use efficient mental and written strategies to carry out the four operations with integers. They

simplify a variety of algebraic expressions. They solve linear equations and graph linear relationships on

the Cartesian plane. Students convert between units of measurement for area and volume. They perform
calculations to determine perimeter and area of parallelograms, rhombuses and kites. They name the

features of circles and calculate the areas and circumferences of circles. Students determine complementary
events and calculate the sum of probabilities.

Summary of task
Students were required to complete a practice sheet of calculations for the circumference and area of different circles.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 25 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 6

Mathematics
Work sample 6:
Circumference and area of circle
Annotations

Calculates to 2 decimal places the areas

and circumferences of different circles
without mention of units.

Identifies the radius by correct

substitution.

Acknowledgment
ACARA acknowledges the contribution of trial school teachers and students for providing the tasks and work samples. The annotations are referenced to the Australian
Curriculum achievement standards.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 26 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 7

Mathematics
Work sample 7:
Index laws
Relevant parts of the achievement standard
By the end of Year 8, students solve everyday problems involving rates, ratios and percentages. They

recognise index laws and apply them to whole numbers. They describe rational and irrational numbers.

Students solve problems involving profit and loss. They make connections between expanding and factorising
algebraic expressions. Students solve problems relating to the volume of prisms. They make sense of

time duration in real applications. They identify conditions for the congruence of triangles and deduce the

properties of quadrilaterals. Students model authentic situations with two-way tables and Venn diagrams.

They choose appropriate language to describe events and experiments. They explain issues related to the
collection of data and the effect of outliers on means and medians in that data.

Students use efficient mental and written strategies to carry out the four operations with integers. They

simplify a variety of algebraic expressions. They solve linear equations and graph linear relationships on

the Cartesian plane. Students convert between units of measurement for area and volume. They perform
calculations to determine perimeter and area of parallelograms, rhombuses and kites. They name the

features of circles and calculate the areas and circumferences of circles. Students determine complementary
events and calculate the sum of probabilities.

Summary of task
Students were required to answer questions relating to the use of index laws to simplify number sentences

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 27 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 7

Mathematics
Work sample 7:
Index laws
Annotations

Applies index laws to simplify whole

number expressions.

Applies index laws to expand an

expression.

Acknowledgment
ACARA acknowledges the contribution of trial school teachers and students for providing the tasks and work samples. The annotations are referenced to the Australian
Curriculum achievement standards.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 28 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 8

Mathematics
Work sample 8:
Discounts, profit and loss
Relevant parts of the achievement standard
By the end of Year 8, students solve everyday problems involving rates, ratios and percentages. They

recognise index laws and apply them to whole numbers. They describe rational and irrational numbers.

Students solve problems involving profit and loss. They make connections between expanding and factorising
algebraic expressions. Students solve problems relating to the volume of prisms. They make sense of

time duration in real applications. They identify conditions for the congruence of triangles and deduce the

properties of quadrilaterals. Students model authentic situations with two-way tables and Venn diagrams.

They choose appropriate language to describe events and experiments. They explain issues related to the
collection of data and the effect of outliers on means and medians in that data.

Students use efficient mental and written strategies to carry out the four operations with integers. They

simplify a variety of algebraic expressions. They solve linear equations and graph linear relationships on

the Cartesian plane. Students convert between units of measurement for area and volume. They perform
calculations to determine perimeter and area of parallelograms, rhombuses and kites. They name the

features of circles and calculate the areas and circumferences of circles. Students determine complementary
events and calculate the sum of probabilities.

Summary of task
Students were required to complete a summative task which asked them to calculate the costs of items including GST,
calculate the percentage discount on items, and justify financial decisions.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 29 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 8

Mathematics
Work sample 8:
Discounts, profit and loss
Annotations
Calculates percentages and correctly
calculates GST.

Calculates new price after discount.

Calculates the best process and justifies

answer using reasoning.

Accurately calculates profit and selling

price.

Acknowledgment
ACARA acknowledges the contribution of trial school teachers and students for providing the tasks and work samples. The annotations are referenced to the Australian
Curriculum achievement standards.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 30 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 9

Mathematics
Work sample 9:
Venn diagrams and two way tables
Relevant parts of the achievement standard
By the end of Year 8, students solve everyday problems involving rates, ratios and percentages. They

recognise index laws and apply them to whole numbers. They describe rational and irrational numbers.

Students solve problems involving profit and loss. They make connections between expanding and factorising
algebraic expressions. Students solve problems relating to the volume of prisms. They make sense of

time duration in real applications. They identify conditions for the congruence of triangles and deduce the

properties of quadrilaterals. Students model authentic situations with two-way tables and Venn diagrams.

They choose appropriate language to describe events and experiments. They explain issues related to the
collection of data and the effect of outliers on means and medians in that data.

Students use efficient mental and written strategies to carry out the four operations with integers. They

simplify a variety of algebraic expressions. They solve linear equations and graph linear relationships on

the Cartesian plane. Students convert between units of measurement for area and volume. They perform
calculations to determine perimeter and area of parallelograms, rhombuses and kites. They name the

features of circles and calculate the areas and circumferences of circles. Students determine complementary
events and calculate the sum of probabilities.

Summary of task
Students have been using Venn diagrams and two way tables to model information and hence draw conclusions.
Students were required to complete the activity involving Venn diagrams.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 31 of 32

December 2011

Year 8 Mathematics - Work sample 9

Mathematics
Work sample 9:
Venn diagrams and two way tables
Annotations

Interprets and uses information supplied

in Venn diagrams.

Completes a two way table from the given

information.

Acknowledgment
ACARA acknowledges the contribution of trial school teachers and students for providing the tasks and work samples. The annotations are referenced to the Australian
Curriculum achievement standards.

Year 8 Mathematics

Page 32 of 32

December 2011