Home > Reasoning > Big ideas > If-then > If-then statements

If-then statements

Valid statements can be used to build logical arguments.

'If-then' is a common form of argument. In senior mathematics classes, the notation used for this argument is \(p \rightarrow q\). You can read more about this notation and watch a video from the Math Planet website at http://www.mathplanet.com/education/geometry/proof/if-then-statement.

However, much younger students should learn this form of argument.

A typical if-then problem and variations on it make a good starting point. You can download Insects and Spiders: An Avenue for If-then Thinking.

Curriculum links

Year 5: Use equivalent number sentences involving multiplication and division to find unknown quantities

Year 7: Introduce the concept of variables as a way of representing numbers using letters

Year 7: Create algebraic expressions and evaluate them by substituting a given value for each variable

Year 7: Investigate, interpret and analyse graphs from authentic data

Year 10: Solve linear simultaneous equations, using algebraic and graphical techniques including using digital technology

Source