Maths · Pioneers 11–15 · Year 7
Number: negatives, primes and powers
Why does a minus times a minus make a plus?
What you will learn
- Calculate with negative numbers in all four operations
- Use prime factorisation to find HCF and LCM
- Use index laws for positive integer powers and roots
- Estimate and check with rounding and bounds
Helpful to know first: Times tables to 12×12; Order of operations
Discover
Think first: Why does a minus times a minus make a plus? Say or jot one idea before you read on.
Learn — core route
- Number-line thermometer moves
- Factor trees for 360 and 84
- Index-law card matching
Lessons in this subject: Learn Topics · Maths
Practise — check a common mix-up
−3 − (−5) = ?
1 is a prime number.
Apply / Create — Temperature & Time-Zone Planner
Plan a 3-city trip: compute temperature differences (negatives), meeting times across zones, and packing quantities using HCF/LCM. Present as an annotated itinerary.
Evidence type: written report · accessible alternative always allowed (speak it, draw it, or show an adult).
How it is judged (rubric)
- Beginning: Some correct negative calculations
- Developing: Negatives and one HCF/LCM use
- Secure: Accurate negatives, HCF/LCM and estimates with checking
- Extending: Generalises a rule and justifies it
Explain — say what you did
Review later
We'll offer a quick memory check in 7, 21 and 45 days. Mark this done and your Today page will remind you gently.
For grown-ups · framework mappings
- aligned to UK NC · KS3 Number
- aligned to Common Core · 7.NS.A
- aligned to Cambridge Lower Secondary · 7Ni
Status: Live · reviewed
What's next?