Many people believe that all of mathematics is about finding, explaining and linking patterns. That is why patterns are included in the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics.
Patterns are especially important in early mathematics learning. They can be fun and creative, and they lead into many fundamental ideas.
- The concepts of multiplication, even and odd numbers, and area measurement all arise from repeating patterns.
- The concepts of division, fractions, time lines, measurement of length, and numeration all involve equal partitioning — which also relates to repeating patterns.
- Describing how the terms change in a growing pattern can lead to simple algebra.
- Exploration of spatial patterns leads to simple geometry; for example:
- concepts of symmetry, congruence, collinearity, sides and faces
- names of common shapes and their basic properties
- ideas such as tessellations and nets.
There are many topics in the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics that relate to patterns. You can download a list of content descriptions in Patterns and their Applications in the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics.
