Series, Patterns and Sequences: Examination Question Examples

CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Sequences and Patterns
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SERIES, PATTERNS and SEQUENCES
Examination Question Examples
SERIES, PATTERNS AND SEQUENCES
Example:
1. Write down the next two terms in the sequence

12, 11, 9, 6
Solution:
12, 11, 9, 6  consider the difference between the consecutive numbers
12 11 9 6 x y
1 2 3 4 5
 6x = 4  6 4 = x  2 = x
xy = 5  2y = 5  y = 25 = 3
 The next two terms in the sequence are 5 and  3 ans.
2. Write down an expression, in terms of n, for the nth term in the sequence
4, 9, 25, ………..
Solution:
4, 9, 25  consider that the pattern is a formation of perfect squares
4 = 22 9 = 32 25 = 52 36 = 62 49 = 72
 The next two terms in the sequence are 36 and 49 ans.
Revision notes  Paper 2 Section I Page | 211

3. Complete the table by inserting the missing 4. Complete the table by inserting the missing
values at the rows marked (a), (b) and (c). values at the rows marked (a), (b) and (c).
Difference
Number Factors Value of two Factors Value
squares
1 12 + 3 = 4 . . .
. . .
2 22 + 3 = 7 . . .
3 32 + 3 = 12 34  16 = 1 × 5 × (32 + 4) 65
(a) 4 42 + 3 = 19 44  16 = 2 × 6 × (42 + 4) 250

. . .
. . . (a) 54  16 = 3 × 7 × (52 + 4)
. . .
(b) 8 82 + 3 = (b) 64  16 = 1280
. . . (c) 74  16 =
. . .
. . .
2
(c) 20 + 3 = (d) By using the considerations in the table
above:
(d) By using the considerations in the (i) what is the value of 84  16?
table above, what is the value of 672 + 3? (ii) what are the factors of n4  16?
Solution: Solution:
Number Factors Value Difference

of two Factors Value
1 2
1 + 3 = 4 squares
. . .
2 22 + 3 = 7 . . .
. . .
3 32 + 3 = 12
34  16 = 1 × 5 × (32 + 4) 65
2
(a) 4 4 + 3 = 19
44  16 = 2 × 6 × (42 + 4) 250
2
(b) 8 8 + 3 = 67
(a) 54  16 = 3 × 7 × (52 + 4) 609
2
(c) 20 20 + 3 = 403
(b) 64  16 = 4 × 8 × (62 + 4) 1280
(c) 74  16 = 5 × 9 × (72 + 4) 2385
2
(d) 67 + 3 = 4489 + 3 = 4492 ans.

(d) (i) 84  16 = 4096  16 = 4080 ans. (d) Hence, write down a formula for D in terms
of n.
(ii) n4  16 = (n2  4) (n2 + 4) (e) Another sequence of shape U1, U2, U3, …….
2
= (n  2) (n  2) (n + 4) is formed using the shapes T1, T2, , T3 ...and
ans
a row of shaded squares .
5. The diagram below shows a sequence of
shapes T1, T2, , T3, ……. Each shape consists
of a number of squares.
A dot is placed at each point where there is

a corner of one or more squares. The letter
n represents the number of rows of squares
in each shape.
For example U 2 is formed by joining two
The number of squares, S, and the number T 2 shapes to a row of five shaded squares.
of dots, D, in the first four shapes is
recorded in the table below (i) Write down the number of squares in
the shaded row in each of the first
four shapes U1, U2, U3, and U4.
(ii) Write down an expression, in terms

of n, for the number of squares in
the shaded row of Un.
(iii) Hence, using your result in part (b),

write down an expression, in terms
Shape T1 T2 T3 T4 of n, for the total
number of squares in U n .
Number of rows n 1 2 3 4
Number of (iv) Explaining your working clearly,
s 1 4 P 16
squares test your expression for the total
Number of dots D 4 10 q 28 number of squares in U3,
D  n2 3 6 9 r
(v) Using your formula for D in part (a),
write down an expression, in terms
(a) Find the values of p, q and r.
of n, for the number of dots in U n .
(b) Write down a formula for s in terms of n.
(c) Write down an expression for D  n2, in

terms of n.

Solution: = 25 ans.
(a) From the figure for T3 : (v) number of dots = 2D + 4

= 2(n2 + 3n) + 4
Shape T1 T2 T3 T4 = 2n2 + 6n + 4
Number of = 2(n2 + 3n + 2) ans.
n 1 2 3 4
rows
Number of
squares
s 1 4 P = 32 16 Examination Questions (to do)
Number of q = 28 
D 4 10 28 Attempt ALL questions.
dots 10
D  n2 3 6 9 r All working must be clearly shown.
p = 9 and q = 18, 1. Study the number pattern in the table below

and complete the lines (a), (b), and (c) in
r = D  n2 = 28  42 = 12 ans.
you’re the table.
(b) From the pattern in the table : s = n2

23 ( 0  3 2 )  (3  2)  2 8
2
(c) From the pattern in the table : D  n = 3n ans.
33 (1  4 2 )  (3  3)  2 27
(d) D = n2 + 3n ans. 43 ( 2  5 2 )  ( 3  4)  2 64
53 (3  6 2 )  (3  5)  2 125
(e) (i)
(a) 63
Shape U1 U2 U3 U4
n 1 2 3 4 (b
Number of 103
3 5 7 9 )
shaded squares
(c) n3 (n  2  (___) 2 )  (3  __)  2 n3
(ii) number of shaded squares = 2n + 1 ans.
(iii) total number of shaded squares

(b) Show that
= 2S + 2n + 1
(a  b) 2 ( a  b)  ab(a  b)  a 3  b 3
= 2n2 + 2n + 1 ans.
(iv) total number of shaded squares
= 2(3)2 + 2(3) + 1

2. Diagram A, not drawn to scale, shows a (c) Copy and complete the table below which
link from a chain. Each link is a cylindrical shows the length of the chain formed when
ring of thickness 3.5 mm. rings are linked in a straight line.
1 length of chain
Number of rings
(in mm)
1 16
2 30
Diagram A 3 44
Diagram B shows the cross section of the 6 ______
ring. Each ring has internal diameter 14 mm
and external diameter 16 mm. ______ 170
3. In the diagram below, not drawn to scale,

the equilateral triangle PQR, of side one
unit, is the basic triangle from which larger
equilateral triangles may be formed, as seen
in triangle PTU.
Diagram B
(a) Taking π = 3.14, calculate the volume of

metal in a single link of chain, writing your
answer correct to 3 significant figures.
(b)
(a) Using ruler and compasses only, construct

Diagram C
triangle PVY where each side is of length 6
Two of the rings are linked as shown in cm.
Diagram C. Show that the length of the
chain is (b) Draw lines on your diagram to sub-divide
16 mm + 14 mm. triangle PVY into nine identical equilateral
triangles.

(c) The table below shows how the number of

unit lengths in each side of a figure is (d) A shape in the sequence has a perimeter of
related to the number of basic triangles in 40 units. What is the area of this shape?
that figure. Copy and complete the table.
(e) On the answer sheet provided, draw TWO
Number of unit lengths shapes EACH made up of 4 unit squares so
1 2 8 that one has a perimeter of 8 units and the
in each side of figure
other has a perimeter of 16 units.
Number of basic
1 4 9
triangles in that figure
(d) In the basic triangle PQR, the length of each

side is 2 cm. Calculate the area of the basic
triangle in cm².
4. The table below shows a sequence of shapes

made from squares with sides of I unit.
(a) On the answer sheet provided, draw the next

TWO shapes to continue the sequence.
(b) For EACH shape drawn, in Part (a),

complete the table by stating
(i) the area of the shape
(ii) the perimeter of the shape.
(c) A shape in the sequence has an area of 12

square units. What is the perimeter of this
shape?

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CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Sequences and Patterns

Examination Question Examples

SERIES, PATTERNS AND SEQUENCES

1. Write down the next two terms in the sequence

12, 11, 9, 6  consider the difference between the consecutive numbers

xy = 5  2y = 5  y = 25 = 3

 The next two terms in the sequence are 5 and  3 ans.

4, 9, 25  consider that the pattern is a formation of perfect squares

 The next two terms in the sequence are 36 and 49 ans.

Revision notes  Paper 2 Section I Page | 211

(a) 4 42 + 3 = 19 44  16 = 2 × 6 × (42 + 4) 250

Number Factors Value Difference

Revision notes  Paper 2 Section I Page | 212

A dot is placed at each point where there is

(ii) Write down an expression, in terms

(iii) Hence, using your result in part (b),

(c) Write down an expression for D  n2, in

Revision notes  Paper 2 Section I Page | 213

(a) From the figure for T3 : (v) number of dots = 2D + 4

p = 9 and q = 18, 1. Study the number pattern in the table below

(b) From the pattern in the table : s = n2

(iii) total number of shaded squares

(iv) total number of shaded squares

Revision notes  Paper 2 Section I Page | 214

3. In the diagram below, not drawn to scale,

(a) Taking π = 3.14, calculate the volume of

(a) Using ruler and compasses only, construct

Revision notes  Paper 2 Section I Page | 215

(c) The table below shows how the number of

(d) In the basic triangle PQR, the length of each

4. The table below shows a sequence of shapes

(a) On the answer sheet provided, draw the next

(b) For EACH shape drawn, in Part (a),

(i) the area of the shape

(ii) the perimeter of the shape.

(c) A shape in the sequence has an area of 12

Revision notes  Paper 2 Section I Page | 216

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