Math 100- Mathematics in the Modern World

Mathematics of Patterns
Module 1
Prof. Ronald F. Judan
University of the Cordilleras
Baguio City, Philippines
Reminders
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ü CANVAS Announcements
ü Only Canvas Uploaded Activities are Entertained
ü GC
• 2. If accidentally clicked the submit button w/o uploading any files, you
could always use the Assingment comment section in Canvas to attach
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• 3. Deadlines are set for every activity
Module 1-Mathematics as a Study of Patterns

• 1. Number sequence
üArithmetic Sequence
üGeometric Sequence
• 2. Explicit Formula
• 3. Figurate Numbers
• 4. Pascal’s Triangle
• 5. Golden Ratio
Arithmetic & Geometric Sequences
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the module, students are expected to:
• Analyze the pattern in a number sequence to be able to
identify whether it is an arithmetic sequence or a geometric
sequence.
• Find the explicit formula of a given number sequence.
• Solve for the value of the nth term in a number sequence
using the Explicit formula.
In this module you will learn how find the explicit formula of a number sequence
to find any nth term in a sequence.
Definition of terms:
• 1.Number Sequence: Ordered list of Numbers or objects
1,1,2,3,5,8...(Fibonacci Sequence)
• 2. Term(n): Each number in a sequence, where the first number is called 1st
term, the second number is the 2nd term, the nth number is the nth term.
• 3. Arithmetic Sequence: A sequence where a contstant number is added from
the previous term to get to the next term. ( 2, 4, 6, 8, ...) (2, 2+2=4 , 4+2=6,
6+2=8)
• 4. Difference(d): A common difference between two subsequent terms.
• 5.Geometric Sequence: A sequence where a constant number is multiplied to
the previous term to get to the next term. ( 2, 4, 8, 16, ...) ( 2 , 2x2=4, 4x2=8,
8x2=16)
• 6. Ratio(r): A common ratio between two subsequent terms.
Explicit Formula for Arithmetic Sequence:
• Example 1: Lets try to solve for the Explicit formula of the sequence: 2,4,6,8,10,....

an nth term Value in the

Sequence
a1 1st 2

a2 2nd 4  2+2

a3 3rd 6  4+2

a4 4th 8  6+2

a5 5th 10  8+2

NOTE: *If the terms in the sequence have a common difference then it is an arithmetic sequence.
Ex-1 Cont’d Explicit formula of the sequence: 2,4,6,8,10,....

• Step 1: Determine the first term (a1) and the common difference(d).
a1(1st term)= 2 d (common difference): 2

• Step 2: Substitute into:

an = a1 + d (n – 1)  Used for finding any term as long as you
know the term number(n)
a1= 2 d=2  an = 2 + 2(n-1)  we can still simplify the equation thourgh algebra
 an = 2 + 2n-2  Combine similar terms. ( 2-2 = 0 )
 an = 2n  This is the explicit formula for the sequence 2,4,6,8,10,..
Check: 2,4,6,8,10,....
If our 3rd term (n=3) in the sequence is 6, then by substituting the value n=3 in
the explicit formula, it must be equal to 6.
 an =2n *Substitute the value of n=3
 a(3) = 2(3)
 a(3) = 6

Finding the value of the nth term in a sequence.

Given the explicit formula: an =2n find the 155th term in the sequence(n=155)
Substitute: n=155 in the explicit formula an =2n
a155 = 2(155)
a155 = 310  310 is the 155th value in the sequence.
Example 2: Lets try to solve for the Explicit formula of the sequence: 15, 32, 49, 66, 83...

an nth term Value in the

Sequence
a1 1st 15

a2 2nd 32  15+17

a3 3rd 49  32+17

a4 4th 66  49+17

a5 5th 83  66+17

Note : *If the terms in the sequence have a common difference then it is an arithmetic sequence.
Ex- 2 Cont’d Explicit formula of the sequence: 15, 32, 49, 66, 83...
Step 1: Determine the first term (a1) and the common difference(d).
a1(1st term)= 15 d (common difference): 17

Step 2: Substitute into:

an = a1 + d (n – 1)  Used for finding any term as long as you know the term
number(n)
a1= 15 d=17  an = 15 + 17(n-1)  we can still simplify the equation
through algebra

an = 15 + 17n-17  Combine similar terms. ( 15-17 = -2 )

an = 17n-2  This is the explicit formula for the sequence 15, 32, 49, 66, 83...
Check: Explicit formula of the sequence: 15, 32, 49, 66, 83...
If our 4th term (n=4) in the sequence is 66, then by substituting the
value n=4 in the explicit formula, it must be equal to 66.
 an =17n-2 **Substitute the value of n=4
 a(4) = 17(4)-2
 a(4) = 66

Finding the value of the nth term in a sequence.

Given the explicit formula: an =17n-2 find the 10th term in the sequence(n=10)
Substitute: n=10 in the explicit formula an =17n-2
a10 =17(10)-2
a10 =168  168 is the 10th value in the sequence
15, 32, 49, 66, 83...
Explicit Formula for Geometric Sequence:
Example 1: Lets try to solve for the Explicit formula of the sequence: 2,4,8,16, 32,....
*If the terms in the sequence have a common ratio(r) then it is geometric sequence.
Step 1: Determine the first term (a1) and the common ratio(r).
a1(1st term)= 2 r (common ratio)= 2
Step 2: Substitute into:
an = a1 * r (n-1)  Used for finding any term as long as you know the term
number(n) in a geometric sequence.
a1= 2 r=2 an = 2 * 2 (n-1)  This is the explicit formula for the sequence 2,4,8,16,32,...

an nth term Value in the Sequence

a1 1st 2

a2 2nd 4  2x2

a3 3rd 8  4x2

a4 4th 16  6x2

a5 5th 32  8x2
Check: Explicit formula of the sequence: 2,4,8,16, 32,....
If our 3rd term (n=3) in the sequence is 8, then by substituting the value n=3 in the explicit formula, it
must be equal to 8.
 an =2 * 2 (n-1) **Substitute the value of n=3
 a(3) = 2 * 2 (3-1) **Simplify
 a(3) = 2 * 2 (2)
 a(3) = 2 * 4
 a(3) = 8

Finding the value of the nth term in a sequence.

Given the explicit formula: an =2 * 2 (n-1) find the 12th term in the sequence(n=12)
Substitute: n=12 in the explicit formula an =2 * 2 (n-1)
a12 =2 * 2 (n-1)
a12 =2 * 2 (12-1)
a12 =2 * 2 (11)
a12 =2 * 2048
a12 = 4096  4,096 is the 12th term in the sequence.
Example 2: Lets try to solve for the Explicit formula of the sequence: 3,18,108,648,3888,....
*If the terms in the sequence have a common ratio(r) then it is geometric sequence.
Step 1: Determine the first term (a1) and the common ratio(r).
a1(1st term)= 3 r (common ratio)= 6
Step 2: Substitute into:
an = a1 * r (n-1)  Used for finding any term as long as you know the term
number(n) in a geometric sequence.
a1= 3 r=6 an = 3 * 6 (n-1)  This is the explicit formula for the sequence.

an nth term Value in the Sequence

a1 1st 3

a2 2nd 18  3x6

a3 3rd 108  18x6

a4 4th 648  108x6

a5 5th 3888  648x6

Check: Given sequence: 3,18,108,648,3888,....
If our 4th term (n=4) in the sequence is 648, then by substituting the value n=4 in
the explicit formula, it must be equal to 8.
 an =3 * 6 (n-1) **Substitute the value of n=4
 a(4) = 3 * 6 (4-1) **Simplify
 a(4) = 3 * 6 (3)
 a(4) = 3 * 218
 a(4) = 648

Finding the value of the nth term in a sequence.

Given the explicit formula: an =3 * 6 (n-1) find the 8th term in the sequence(n=8)
Substitute: n=8 in the explicit formula an =3 * 6 (n-1)
a8 =3 * 6 (n-1)
a8 =3 * 6 (8-1)
a8 =3 * 6 (7)
a8 =3 * 279936
a8 = 839,808  839,808 is the 8th term in the sequence.
Conclusion:
If the sequence is arithmetic we use the equation:
an = a1 + d (n – 1).

If the sequence is geometric we use the equation:

an = a1 * r (n-1).
 Try This ! Look for Patterns
a. 1,3,5…_____,_____,_____
b. 4,13,28…,____,_____,_____
c. 12 ,22 ,32 …,_____,_____,____
d. 3,9,19,33…,____,______,_____
e. 1,3,6,10,15,21..,____,_____,____
f. 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21…___,___,___Guess what nos. are these?
g. 1,4,7,13 _____,_____,_____
10/13/2021 University of the Cordilleras
Solution
b) 4 13 28 49 ,76 ,109
9 15 21 27 33
6 6 6 6
f(x) = ax2 +c
N f(n) 1st Difference 2nd Difference
a= (1/2)6 = 3
Linear Quadratic constant
f(n) = 3n2 +___= 13
1 4 9 6 f(2) = 3(22) + 1=13
2 13 15 6 Try some values to
3 28 21 6 verify its true.
4 49 27 6 Therefore:
5 76 33 6 GF: 3n2+1
Solution
d) 3 9 19 33 51, 73, 99
6 10 14 18 22 26
4 4 4 4 4
f(x) = ax2 +c
n f(n) 1st Difference 2nd Difference
a= (1/2)4 = 2
Linear Quadratic constant
f(n) = 2n2 +___= 9
1 3 6 4 f(2) = 2(22) + 1= 9
2 9 10 4 Try some values to
3 19 14 4 verify its true.
4 33 18 4 Therefore:
5 51 22 4 GF: 2n2+1
 Look for Patterns
a. 1,3,5…7, 9 ,11…...GF- (2n-1) = 1+(n-1)2 = 1+2n-2 = 2n-1
b. 4,13,28…, 49 , 76 , 109…..GF-(3n2+1)
c. 12 ,22 ,32 …, 42 , 52, 62 ,…GF-(n2)
d. 3,9,19,33…, 51, 73 , 99 ,…GF-(2n2+1)
e. 1,3,6,10,15,21..,28,36,45,..GF-[n(n+1)/2]
f. 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21…___,___,___Guess what nos. are these?
g. 1,4,7,10, ___,___.___.GF (_______)
13, 16, 19 GF ( 3n-2 )
10/13/2021 University of the Cordilleras
Fibonacci Rabbits
1. At the end of the first month, they mate, but there is still one only 1 pair.
2. At the end of the second month the female produces a new pair, so now there are 2 pairs of rabbits in the
field.
3. At the end of the third month, the original female produces a second pair, making 3 pairs in all in the field.
4. At the end of the fourth month, the original female has produced yet another new pair, the female born two
months ago produces her first pair also, making 5 pairs.

1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34……..
Strategy on Number Patterns

Method
on
Successive Differences
Number Patterns:
Successive Differences
The method of successive difference tries to find a pattern in a sequence by taking
successive differences until a pattern is found and then working backwards.

2 57 220 575 1230 2317 ….

55 163 355 655 1087 ….
108 192 300 432 ….
84 108 132 ….
24 24 ….
Number Patterns:
Successive Differences
Fill in the obvious pattern and work backwards by adding.

2 57 220 575 1230 2317 3992

55 163 355 655 1087 1675
108 192 300 432 588
84 108 132 156
24 24 24
The method of successive differences predicts 3992 to be the next
number in the sequence.
 Number Patterns:
Successive Differences
The method of successive differences is not always helpful. Consider

1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89 144 233 377 610 987 1597 ….

1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89 144 233 377 610 ….
0 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89 144 233 ….
1 0 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89 ….

Since the sequence reproduces itself after applying successive

differences, the method can give us no simplification.
Number Patterns; Figurate Numbers
The figurate numbers are a classical source of number sequences.

Number Patterns; Figurate Numbers

ü Triangular numbers: 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 21, 28, 36, 45, 55…
ü Square numbers: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81, 100…
ü Pentagonal numbers: 1, 5, 12, 22, 35, 51, 70, 92, 117, 145…
ü Hexagonal numbers: 1, 6, 15, 28, 45, 66, 91, 120, 153, 190…
ü Heptagonal numbers: 1, 7, 18, 34, 55, 81, 112, 148, 189, 235…
ü Octagonal numbers: 1, 8, 21, 40, 65, 96, 133, 176, 225, 280…
ü Nonagonal numbers: 1, 9, 24, 46, 75, 111, 154, 204, 261, 325…
 Number Patterns: Figurate Numbers
Formulas for the figurate numbers:
n ( n  1)
Tn  Considering these formulas leads
2
Sn  n2 us to conjecture a formula for a
n ( 3 n  1) general N-agonal number:
Pn 
2
n(4n  2) n(( N  2)n  ( N  4))
H n  Nn 
2 2
n (5 n  3)
Hp n  True
2
n (6 n  4 )
On  Note that this formula works for N=3 and N=4.
2
n (7 n  5) It even works for N=2 (biagonal numbers).
No n 
2
 Number Patterns;
Figurate Numbers
Example:We can calculate the figurate numbers using successive differences.
Consider the nonagonal numbers.

1 9 24 46 75 111 154 204 261 325 396

8 15 22 29 36 43 50 57 64 71
7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

5th term in the sequence= 5(7*5-5)/2 = 75 , where n =5

Example:
• How many dots are required to construct the fourth
pentagonal number?
Soln: Given n=4

= 4(3*4-1)/2 = 22 dots are required to construct the 4rth

pentagonal no.
Pascal’s Triangle
One of the most interesting Number Patterns is
Pascal's Triangle (named after Blaise Pascal, a famous
French Mathematician and Philosopher). To build the
triangle, start with "1" at the top, then continue
placing numbers below it in a triangular pattern. Each
number is the numbers directly above it added
together.
Pascal’s Triangle
What are other interesting properties
Your task !

Discover other interesting properties

about Pascal’s Triangle
 Golden Ratio
The number phi, often known as the
golden ratio, is a mathematical
concept that people have known
about since the time of the ancient
Greeks. It is an irrational number like
pi and e, meaning that its terms go on
forever after the decimal point
without repeating.
Golden Ratio
The golden ratio is also called the
golden mean or golden section.
Other names include extreme
and mean ratio, medial section,
divine proportion divine section,
golden proportion, golden cut,
and
golden number.
= 1.6180339887
Golden Ratio
How is golden ratio determined?
1. Find the longer segment and label it a.
2. Find the shorter segment and label it b.
3. Input the values into the formula.
4. Take the sum a and b and divide by a.
5. Take a divided by b.
6. If the proportion is in the golden ratio, it
will equal approximately 1.618.
7. Use the golden ratio calculator to check
your result.
If we take the ratio of two successive numbers in Fibonacci's series,
(1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, ..) and we divide each by the number before it, we will find the following series of numbers:

The ratio seems to be settling down to a particular value, which we call the golden ratio or
the golden number. It has a value of approximately 1·618034
Real Life Patterns on Golden Ratio found in Nature
 There’s a LOT MORE!
Its your task to discover them!
Thanks For Listening