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Math Patterns Assessment

The document provides guidelines for completing an IB MYP math task on investigating patterns. Students are instructed to choose one of three problems, identify patterns through tabular analysis and algebraic expressions, verify patterns with additional examples, and justify general rules. The problems involve discovering relationships between fence bars and sections, toothpicks and houses, or squares and circles in a diagram. Students are to express patterns algebraically and verify the rules hold for new examples.

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Kelly Orosz
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917 views8 pages

Math Patterns Assessment

The document provides guidelines for completing an IB MYP math task on investigating patterns. Students are instructed to choose one of three problems, identify patterns through tabular analysis and algebraic expressions, verify patterns with additional examples, and justify general rules. The problems involve discovering relationships between fence bars and sections, toothpicks and houses, or squares and circles in a diagram. Students are to express patterns algebraically and verify the rules hold for new examples.

Uploaded by

Kelly Orosz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Guide to IB MYP Math Investigating Patterns

Investigating Patterns have the following objectives:

• Select and apply mathematical problem-solving techniques to discover complex


patterns
• Describe patterns as relationship and/or general rules consistent with findings
• Verify and justify general rules.

CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING 3 PROBLEMS TO INVESTIGATE/SOLVE.


Make sure you understand clearly the expectations for this kind of task. Here are guidelines
to help you in your Investigating Patterns summative task.

A. Select and apply mathematical problem-solving techniques to


discover complex patterns

1) Look back at your lessons for the unit. What specific concept can you use to solve the
problem?
2) Since you need to discover patterns, you need series of computations to find it. Plan
a way to show answers to your computations in tabular/data form. This will help you
to easily see the pattern.
3) Sometimes, parts of the equations (like coefficients and terms) are included in the
pattern.
4) Show all the solutions used to complete the table.
5) Be very accurate with answers. A wrong answer would lead to something not
following a pattern.

B. Describe patterns as general rules consistent with findings.


1) Study or review your table. What patterns can you see?
2) Describe the pattern in statement form. Sometimes the problem requires you to make
an algebraic expression/equation. X is the independent variable.
3) Possible scenario:
• Pattern is consistent for all samples: YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK
• Pattern is not consistent for some samples
i. It is either you solved the other samples wrong OR
ii. the pattern you found is just a coincidence. Check your solutions
and/or change the strategy used.
• Cannot see any pattern: You used the wrong strategy. Think of another way to
solve the problem.

PATTERN: a system, order, arrangement, sequence. It could be


increasing/decreasing, multiplying/dividing, there are similar outcomes, and
something consistent is happening.
C. Verify and justify, general rules.
1) Use your general statement. To verify if your statement is correct, show your
computations for the:
§ long method (computations/solutions/process you used to identify the
pattern) AND
§ short method (your general rule).
§ Both answers for long and short method SHOULD be equal.
§ The example you will use should NOT be the same as the ones found on
your task. You should give your own.
§ Give at least 3 samples

1-3 uses your knowledge on algebra


Always check the steps above to answer properly and you have your rubric.
PATTERNS PRACTICE INVESTIGATION
Problem 1
A carpenter is building a fence out of steel rods. One section of a fence is made from 4 steel
rods.
This is 1 section of a fence that is made out of 4
steel rods

1 meter

If we make 2 sections, 7 steel rods will be used.

The carpenter is tasked to make fencing for a yard that has dimensions of 50 by 35 meters. If
a section of a fence is 1 meter long, how many sections should he make and how many steel
bars should he use?

A. Identify the amount of fencing needed. (use the information above to answer this)

B. Justify the amount of steel rods using algebra. Complete the table below. Follow the
example given. (In here, your solutions are just drawings. Make sure to draw
properly and count accurately)
Looking at your table above, did you notice a trend or pattern? If yes, describe the pattern.
(This is the general statement. Make sure you are very specific and all patterns are
described clearly)

If X represents the NUMBER OF SECTIONS…


Write an algebraic expression (formula) that would show how to compute for number of
steel rods to be used.

Verify your answer by giving another example.


(give a long and short method below and use a different example—so use something that is
more than 5 sections)

Using your formula above, calculate for the number of steel rods needed to make the fencing.
Problem 2
In technology, students are using toothpicks to make models of house designs in present
subdivisions. Most houses are built side by side to cut down cost of materials. A house is
made out of 6 toothpicks. 2 houses built side by side are made out of 11 toothpicks.

1 house = 6 toothpicks 2 houses = 11 toothpicks

A. Identify how many toothpicks will be used for 25 houses built with spaces in
between?

B. Justify the amount of toothpicks using algebra. Complete the table below. Follow the
example given.

Number of Houses Drawing Number of Toothpicks


Looking at your table above, did you notice a trend or pattern?

If X represents the NUMBER OF HOUSES…


Write an algebraic expression (formula) that would show how to compute for number of
toothpicks to be used.

Verify your answer by giving another example.

Using your formula above, compute for the number of toothpicks needed to make the 25
houses.

If there are 25 houses built side by side, how many toothpicks can be saved compared to
building houses with spaces in between.
EXAMPLE 3
Look at the diagram below, continue the drawing and complete the table.

A. Drawings:

B. Table:

Number of Squares Number of Circles

Identify the pattern you observed?


Based on the pattern observed, describe a rule using an algebraic expression (formula)

Communicate your rule by making examples of drawings and comparing it with your
computation/calculations.

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