Introduction

The term figurate number is often used to mean one of two things:
• polygonal number, a number represented as dots arranged in the shape of a regular polygon
or
• polyhedral number, a number represented as dots arranged in the shape of a regular
polyhedron.
Examples of each of these are shown below:

TRIANGULAR NUMBER TETRAHEDRAL NUMBER

polygonal number polyhedral number

Although each of these different figurate numbers deserve investigating, in this task we look into a
specific type of such numbers, called Pronic numbers. Let’s explore!

Tasks

(1) The first four Pronic numbers, labelled as � , � , � , and � are shown as dots arranged in
the shape of a rectangle. In the space provided below, draw the next two Pronic numbers,
� and � , as dots arranged in the shape of a rectangle.
[B: 1-2, i]

�� �� �� � � �

(2) The number of dots in the first four Pronic numbers are shown below. Show how the next
two Pronic numbers are calculated and write down what they are.
[B: 1-2, i]

� = 1×2 = 2 � = 3×4 = 12 5x6 = 30

� =_______

� = 2×3 = 6 � = 4×5 = 20 6x7 = 42

� =_______

(3) Without drawing any more dot arrangements, state your prediction for the value of � and
� . Briefly explain why you think those predictions are correct.
[B: 1-2, ii]

P10=10x11=110 I think that these predictions are correct as the first number to be
multiplied, is the figure number, and it is multiplied with it's
P100=100x101=10100 successor
Next, in order to recognize further patterns, in addition to what’s visually obvious, let’s explore the
actual arrangement of the dots in the Pronic numbers.
(4) The number of dots, based on rows and columns, are summarized in the table below. Use
your findings in question (2) to write down the missing numbers in the relevant places.
[B: 3-4, i]

�� �� �� � � �
ROWS 1 2 3 4 5 6
COLUMNS 2 3 4 5 6 7
VALUE 2 6 12 20 30 42

(5) Continuing the patterns in the table in question (4), find

(a) the number of rows in the arrangement of the dots in
i. Row � 7 iii. Row � 9
ii. Row � 8 iv. Row � 10

(b) the number of columns in the arrangement of the dots in

i. Column � 8 iii. Column � 10

ii. Column � 9 iv. Column � 11

(c) the total number of dots in the arrangement of the dots in

i. � 56 iii. � 90
ii. � 72 iv. � 110
[B: 3-4, i]

(6) Use your answers in question (5) to comment on your prediction stated in question (3).
[B: 3-4, i]

The answers I have gotten further prove my prediction as the equation I

have given stands

(7) Use your findings in question (5) to suggest a mathematical formula for
(a) the number of rows,
(b) the number of columns, and
(c) the total number of dots,
in terms of � for the �th Pronic number, � .
[B: 3-4, ii]

Taking the rows as (r), columns as (c), and dots as (d),

r=n
c = n+1
d = n(n+1)
(8) Use a method of your own to write down the first four Pronic numbers as sums.
[B: 5-6, i]
(a) � = 2 4 + ____
(c) � = 2 + ____ 6

4
(b) � = 2 + ____ 4 + ____
(d) � = 2 + ____ 6 + ____
8

(9) Use your findings in question (8) to write down the next four Pronic numbers, � , � , � , and
� as sums and calculate the value of each sum to show that they are the same as found in
questions (4) and (5). Then, suggest a formula for � as a long sum, specifically noting the
last term in that sum in terms of �.
[B: 5-6, ii]

P5 = 2+4+6+8+10 = 30
P6 = 2+4+6+8+10+12 = 42
P7 = 2+4+6+8+10+12+14 = 56
P8 = 2+4+6+8+10+12+14+16 = 72

Pn = 2+4+6+8....+2n

Did you know?

Mathematical formulae may be given in two different ways:
1. an explicit formula gives the value of a specific term based on the position, and
2. a recursive formula gives the value of a specific term based on the previous term(s).

(10)Notice that your mathematical formula for the �th Pronic number � in question (7)(c) was an
explicit formula. Use your findings in questions (8) and (9) and apply a method of your own
to find a recursive formula for � . Show your method in details. Remember: a recursive
formula for � contains the previous term, which we write as � .
[B: 5-6, i-ii]

Pn = Pn-1 +2n

(11) Use the recursive formula found in question (10) to briefly describe how to find
(a) the 50th Pronic number � , and
(b) the 100th Pronic number � .
[B: 5-6, ii]

P50 = P50-1 + 2(50

= P49 + 100
P100 = P100-1 + 2(100)
= P99 + 200
 (12) Verify that using your explicit formula and your recursive formula both result in the same
Pronic numbers by
(a) finding � and � using the explicit formula found in question (7)(c),
(b) finding � and � using the recursive formula found in question (10).
[B: 5-6, iii]

a) P12 = 12x13 = 156. P14 = 14x15 = 210.

b) Looking at Results found previously,

P10 = 110,
P11 = 110+2(11) = 132, P12 = 132+2(12) = 156,
P13 = 156+2(13) = 182, P14 = 182+2(14) = 210

Next, let us explore another pattern in Pronic numbers, one we find as a result of adding reciprocals
of consecutive Pronic numbers.
(13) Write down the the reciprocal of the first four Pronic numbers.
[B: 7-8, i]
(a) (c)
1 1/2 1 1/12
� �
(b) (d)
1 1/6 1 1/20
� �

(14) Use your findings in question (13) to find the value of each expression given below. Write
down the value of each sum as a fraction in the lowest terms.
[B: 7-8, i]
(a)
1 1
+ = 1/2+1/6 = 3/6+1/6 = 4/6 = 2/3
� �
(b)
1 1 1
+ + = 1/2+1/6+1/12 = 6/12+2/12+1/12 = 9/12 = 3/4
� � �
(c)
1 1 1 1
+ + + = 1/2+1/6+1/12+1/20 = 30/60+10/60+5/60+3/60 = 48/60 = 24/30 = 12/15 = 4/5
� � � �

(15) Use your results in question (14) to briefly describe your findings. Then, suggest an explicit
formula for the sum of the reciprocals of the first � Pronic numbers.
[B: 7-8, ii]

1/P1 + 1/P2 + 1/P3 + 1/Pn = n/(n+1)

(16) Use your findings in question (14) to verify your explicit formula by
(a) finding the sum of the reciprocals of
i. the first five Pronic numbers,
ii. the first six Pronic numbers
(b) applying the explicit formula found in question (15) for the
i. the first five Pronic numbers,
ii. the first six Pronic numbers.
[B: 7-8, iii]

a)

i) 1/P1 + 1/P2 + 1/P3 + 1/P4 + 1/P5 = 1/2 + 1/6 + 1/12 + 1/20 + 1/30 = 30/60 + 10/60 +
5/60 + 3/60 + 2/60 = 50/60 = 5/6
ii) 1/P1 + 1/P2 + 1/P3 + 1/P4 + 1/P5 + 1/P6 = 1/2 + 1/6 + 1/12 + 1/20 + 1/30 + 1/42 =
210/420 + 70/420 + 35/420 + 21/420 + 14/420 + 10/420 = 360/420 = 6/7

b)

i) 1/P1 + 1/P2 + 1/P3 + 1/P4 + 1/P5 = 5/6

ii) 1/P1 + 1/P2 + 1/P3 + 1/P4 + 1/P5 + 1/P6 = 6/7

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