Alberta · Grade 8
Mathematics 8
Alberta’s Grade 8 math course, from Number to Statistics and Probability.
- Units
- 4
- Lessons
- 17
- Skills
- 44
- Provincial exam
- None
- Official curriculum
- Alberta Education
Unit by unit
Every skill in the course, numbered by unit.
Unit 1 · 19 skills
Number
Squares and Square Roots
Perfect squares
I can recognize perfect squares and picture them as square arrays of tiles.
Skill 1.1
Square roots of perfect squares
I can find the square root of a perfect square and connect it to a square's side length.
Skill 1.2
Problem solving with squares and roots
I can solve problems using perfect squares and square roots.
Skill 1.3
Estimating Square Roots
Trapping a root between perfect squares
I can estimate the square root of a non-perfect square by trapping it between the two nearest perfect squares.
Skill 1.4
Refining the estimate
I can refine a square-root estimate to a closer decimal and check that it's reasonable.
Skill 1.5
Percents Beyond 100
Percents of all sizes
I can understand and picture percents of any size, from fractional percents to over 100%.
Skill 1.6
Percent–fraction–decimal
I can convert among percents (including over 100% and fractional), fractions and decimals.
Skill 1.7
Solving percent problems
I can solve real problems with percents greater than 100%.
Skill 1.8
Ratio and Rate
What a ratio is
I can express ratios (part-to-part and part-to-whole) and find equivalent ratios.
Skill 1.9
What a rate is
I can understand rates as comparisons of two different units and find unit rates.
Skill 1.10
Proportional Reasoning
Solving proportions
I can solve for a missing value in a proportion using equivalent ratios or cross-multiplication.
Skill 1.11
Comparing with unit rates
I can use unit rates to compare options and find the best buy.
Skill 1.12
Proportional problem solving
I can solve multi-step real problems with rates, ratios and proportional reasoning.
Skill 1.13
Multiplying and Dividing Fractions
Multiplying fractions
I can multiply positive fractions and mixed numbers, and picture why it works.
Skill 1.14
Dividing fractions
I can divide positive fractions and mixed numbers and explain why multiplying by the reciprocal works.
Skill 1.15
Fraction problem solving
I can solve real problems that multiply or divide positive fractions and mixed numbers.
Skill 1.16
Multiplying and Dividing Integers
Multiplying integers
I can multiply integers and use the sign rules with understanding.
Skill 1.17
Dividing integers
I can divide integers, connecting the sign rules to the inverse of multiplication.
Skill 1.18
Integer problem solving
I can solve real problems using integer multiplication and division.
Skill 1.19
The official wording · 19 outcomes
- 1.1
- Demonstrate an understanding of perfect squares and square roots, concretely, pictorially and symbolically (limited to whole numbers).
- 1.4
- Determine the approximate square root of numbers that are not perfect squares (limited to whole numbers).
- 1.6
- Demonstrate an understanding of percents greater than or equal to 0%, including greater than 100%.
- 1.9
- Demonstrate an understanding of ratio and rate.
- 1.11
- Solve problems that involve rates, ratios and proportional reasoning.
- 1.14
- Demonstrate an understanding of multiplying and dividing positive fractions and mixed numbers, concretely, pictorially and symbolically.
- 1.17
- Demonstrate an understanding of multiplication and division of integers, concretely, pictorially and symbolically.
Key ideas
A perfect square is a whole number you get by multiplying a whole number by itself: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, …
Any non-perfect square sits between two perfect squares, so its root sits between their roots: 49 < 50 < 64, so 7 < √50 < 8.
Percent means 'per hundred' — 150% is 150 per 100, or 1.5 whole; 0.5% is half of one per hundred.
A ratio compares quantities of the SAME kind: 3 red to 2 blue is 3:2 (part-to-part) or 3:5 (part-to-whole).
A proportion states two ratios are equal; the missing value keeps them equivalent.
Watch out for
- Thinking any even number is a perfect square (12, 20 are even but not perfect squares).
- Trapping between the wrong pair of perfect squares.
- Believing percents can't go above 100%.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 2 · 6 skills
Patterns and Relations
Graphing Linear Relations
From table to graph
I can build a table of values for a two-variable linear relation and plot it as a straight line.
Skill 2.1
Analyzing the relation
I can analyze a two-variable linear graph — describe its pattern and read values from it.
Skill 2.2
Linear relations in context
I can interpret a two-variable linear relation in a real context and use the graph to answer questions.
Skill 2.3
Solving Linear Equations
One-step equations (ax = b, x/a = b)
I can model and solve one-step equations like ax = b and x/a = b with integers, and verify.
Skill 2.4
Two-step equations (ax + b = c)
I can model and solve two-step equations like ax + b = c and x/a + b = c with integers.
Skill 2.5
Equations with brackets (a(x + b) = c)
I can solve equations of the form a(x + b) = c by expanding first, and verify.
Skill 2.6
The official wording · 6 outcomes
- 2.1
- Graph and analyze two-variable linear relations.
- 2.4
- Model and solve problems concretely, pictorially and symbolically, using linear equations of the form: ax = b; x/a = b, a ≠ 0; ax + b = c; x/a + b = c, a ≠ 0; a(x + b) = c; where a, b and c are integers.
Key ideas
Pick input values, apply the rule to get each output, and write the (x, y) pairs in a table.
Undo whatever is attached to x with the inverse operation, done to BOTH sides.
Plotting the pairs of a linear relation always produces points that line up straight.
Verify by substituting the solution back — both sides must land on the same value.
The graph rises (or falls) by the same amount for each step right — that constant step is the relation's rate.
Watch out for
- Plotting points as (y, x) instead of (x, y).
- Applying the inverse to only one side.
- Connecting a stray mis-computed point instead of noticing it breaks the line.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 3 · 15 skills
Shape and Space
The Pythagorean Theorem
Understanding the theorem
I can develop the Pythagorean relationship a² + b² = c² using the squares on a right triangle's sides.
Skill 3.1
Finding the hypotenuse
I can apply the Pythagorean theorem to find the hypotenuse of a right triangle.
Skill 3.2
Finding a leg and solving problems
I can find a missing leg with the Pythagorean theorem and solve real problems.
Skill 3.3
Nets of 3-D Objects
Drawing nets
I can draw nets for right rectangular prisms, right triangular prisms and cylinders.
Skill 3.4
Matching and building from nets
I can match a net to its 3-D object and tell which nets fold into a given solid.
Skill 3.5
Surface Area
Surface area of rectangular prisms
I can find the surface area of a right rectangular prism by summing its faces.
Skill 3.6
Surface area of triangular prisms
I can find the surface area of a right triangular prism.
Skill 3.7
Surface area of cylinders
I can find the surface area of a right cylinder and solve problems.
Skill 3.8
Volume
Volume of rectangular prisms
I can develop and apply V = base area × height for right rectangular prisms.
Skill 3.9
Volume of triangular prisms
I can apply V = triangular base area × height to right triangular prisms.
Skill 3.10
Volume of cylinders
I can apply V = πr²·h to right cylinders and solve capacity problems.
Skill 3.11
Views of 3-D Objects
Drawing top, front and side views
I can draw the top, front and side views of a 3-D object made of rectangular prisms.
Skill 3.12
Building from views
I can interpret a set of views and build or identify the 3-D object they describe.
Skill 3.13
Congruence of Polygons
What makes polygons congruent
I can identify congruent polygons by equal corresponding sides and angles.
Skill 3.14
Reasoning with congruence
I can use congruence to find unknown side lengths and angles, and justify the reasoning.
Skill 3.15
The official wording · 15 outcomes
- 3.1
- Develop and apply the Pythagorean theorem to solve problems.
- 3.4
- Draw and construct nets for 3-D objects.
- 3.6
- Determine the surface area of: right rectangular prisms; right triangular prisms; right cylinders; to solve problems.
- 3.9
- Develop and apply formulas for determining the volume of right rectangular prisms, right triangular prisms and right cylinders.
- 3.12
- Draw and interpret top, front and side views of 3-D objects composed of right rectangular prisms.
- 3.14
- Demonstrate an understanding of the congruence of polygons.
Key ideas
In a right triangle, the squares built on the two legs add up to the square on the hypotenuse: a² + b² = c².
A net is the solid unfolded flat, showing every face with nothing missing or overlapping.
Surface area is the total area of all faces; opposite faces come in equal pairs, so SA = 2(lw + lh + wh).
Volume is how many unit cubes fill the solid; for a rectangular prism that's length × width × height.
Each view is what you'd see looking straight down (top), straight on (front), or from the side.
Watch out for
- Adding the sides instead of the squares of the sides (3 + 4 = 5-ish).
- Leaving out a face (drawing 5 faces of a box instead of 6).
- Counting only four faces (forgetting top and bottom).
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 4 · 4 skills
Statistics and Probability
Critiquing Data Displays
Reading the four displays
I can read the four display types and match each to the data it suits.
Skill 4.1
Spotting misleading displays
I can critique how a display misleads and describe the honest fix.
Skill 4.2
Probability of Independent Events
What independent events are
I can identify independent events and tell them apart from dependent situations.
Skill 4.3
Probability of two independent events
I can find the probability of two independent events by multiplying, and solve problems.
Skill 4.4
The official wording · 4 outcomes
- 4.1
- Critique ways in which data is presented in circle graphs, line graphs, bar graphs and pictographs.
- 4.3
- Solve problems involving the probability of independent events.
Key ideas
Circle graph → parts of one whole; bar graph → comparing categories; line graph → change over time; pictograph → counts with symbols.
Two events are independent when one outcome does NOT change the probability of the other (coin flip and die roll).
Reading a display means using its scale, labels and key correctly.
If the first event changes what's possible for the second (drawing without replacing), they're dependent.
Common tricks: a truncated axis (not starting at zero), uneven scales, and distorted pictograph symbols that exaggerate differences.
Watch out for
- Using a circle graph for data that isn't parts of one whole.
- The gambler's fallacy: thinking a run of heads makes tails 'due'.
- Ignoring a pictograph's key (each symbol = 10, not 1).
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Plan the term
Pick your term and the days you study. Each unit gets its share of the weeks and comes back a week later for a review. The last two weeks go over the whole course.
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The official curriculum
This page follows Alberta’s own curriculum for Mathematics 8.
Study it in MapleMind
MapleMind teaches Mathematics 8 one skill at a time. Each skill gets a short lesson, practice as you go and a check worth up to three stars. It remembers where you stopped.
Course Companion
Your year in one workbook
A fun way to keep Mathematics 8 organized, get to know your child better and see early when they need a hand. Fill it in on a screen, or print it.
- Pages
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- Fillable fields
- 1,637
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Questions about Mathematics 8
What is Mathematics 8?
Alberta’s Grade 8 math course: 4 units and 44 skills, from Number to Statistics and Probability.
What units are in Mathematics 8?
1. Number, 2. Patterns and Relations, 3. Shape and Space and 4. Statistics and Probability.
Is there a provincial exam for Mathematics 8?
No. Alberta gives no provincial exam for Mathematics 8.
What comes after Mathematics 8?
Mathematics 9.
Can MapleMind help with Mathematics 8?
Yes. MapleMind teaches every skill of Mathematics 8, step by step, with practice and checks, and its tutor answers questions about any of them. It’s free with daily limits, on iPhone, Android and the web.
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