Topic covered: Solve linear inequalities and graph their solutions on a number line (Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA), 2016a, VCMNA336) Relevant prior VCM codes - year 7: Solve simple linear equations (VCAA, 2016b, VCMNA256) - year 8: Solve linear equations using algebraic and graphical techniques. Verify solutions by substitution (VCAA, 2016c, VCMNA284) - year 9: Sketch linear graphs using the coordinates of two points and solve linear equations (VCAA, 2016d, VCMNA310) - year 10: Solve problems involving linear equations, including those derived from formulas (VCAA, 2016e, VCMNA335) Students’ prior knowledge in linear algebra is necessary for them to be able to grasp the concept of inequality. They should have adequate understanding and skill in solving and manipulating equations. Additionally, it is imperative that students can solve worded linear equations problems and interpret solutions as this becomes more complicated with inequalities. Further on, students will learn how to graph inequalities on a Cartesian plane and solve worded problems, thus an understanding of simple inequalities and how to draw them on a number line should help them interpret solutions and complete more difficult problems. Additionally, students will need to know inequalities for further maths and math methods (VCAA, 2018). …show more content…
However, many of these problems stem from having misconceptions about algebra. From personal experience algebra can be a difficult topic to understand because it can be abstract, and it introduces a new set of vocabulary which can be hard to understand at once. Some misconceptions about algebra that can lead to students struggling with inequalities include; • Students believe that