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Patterns and Algebra Rules

The document discusses number patterns and algebraic rules. It shows examples of patterns where the rule is to add a number to the previous term, like adding 2 or 4. It explains how to write a one-stage algebraic formula for these as t = n x b, where t is the term amount, n is the term number, and b is the number being added. For two-stage patterns that first multiply then add/subtract, two steps are needed in the formula like t = a x n + c, where a is the multiplier and c is the amount added/subtracted. Worked examples are provided to demonstrate converting numeric patterns to algebraic formulas.

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Alex Garcia
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124 views18 pages

Patterns and Algebra Rules

The document discusses number patterns and algebraic rules. It shows examples of patterns where the rule is to add a number to the previous term, like adding 2 or 4. It explains how to write a one-stage algebraic formula for these as t = n x b, where t is the term amount, n is the term number, and b is the number being added. For two-stage patterns that first multiply then add/subtract, two steps are needed in the formula like t = a x n + c, where a is the multiplier and c is the amount added/subtracted. Worked examples are provided to demonstrate converting numeric patterns to algebraic formulas.

Uploaded by

Alex Garcia
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Patterns and Algebraic rules

Rule recap
Remember: We look for a number pattern in a
sequence:

2 4 6 8
, , , The rule is add 2 to the previous term.

2 2 2

4 8 10 12
, , ,
The rule is add 4 to the previous term.

4 4 4

Hand out worksheet 1


Using rules in shape patterns.
Remember, when we have a shape pattern it helps if we draw a table:
1 2 3 4 5

Term 1 2 3 4 5

No of 4 8 12 16 20
sides

4 4 4 4
Writing our rule as a formula

 The rule is add 4 to the previous term.


Is there another way to get from the term
number to the number of sides?
What other mathematical sequence
matches 4,8,12,16,20?
The multiples of 4!!
If we multiply the term number by 4 we
get the number of sides!!
The formula

The number of sides = 4 × the


term number.
Using algebra in our formula

 To use algebra we must follow some


rules:
 Always put what you are trying to find
first.
 Put the number you multiply by before a
letter.
The change to algebra.

 Lets look at our formula again:


The number of tiles = 4 × the term
number.
It would be useful to simplify the formula:
Letters (for our variables) and numbers.
The number of tiles can be "t"
The term number can be "n"
The algebraic
formula

t 4  n
There is one more thing we need to do:
We never use a multiplication sign in algebraic formulas.

Worksheet 1 ends
Two stage formulas

 Some rules are not as straight forward


and you may have to use two stages.
 This means that after multiplying your
term number, you may need to add or
subtract a number to reach your answer.

Hand out worksheet 2


The pattern

1st term

2 nd term

3rd term

4th term

5th term
Pattern table

Term 1 2 3 4 5

No of
3 5 7 9 11
Tiles

2 2 2 2
The rule

 Remember we noticed that the sequence


pattern matched the multiples of a
number?
 We can use that every time.
 Our sequence matches the multiples of 2
so lets see how that works:
The first stage

Term 1 2 3 4 5

No of
3 5 7 9 11
Tiles
Term
2 4 6 8 10
×2

We are not quite there, what do we need to do to reach the


number of tiles?
The second stage

Term 1 2 3 4 5
No of
3 5 7 9 11
Tiles
Term
2 4 6 8 10
×2
Add 1 3 5 7 9 11
We need to add one after we have multiplied.
The formula

 The formula is:


the number of tiles = 2 × the term
number + 1

Remember to change to algebra we use


letters:
the number of tiles can be "t"
the term number is always "n"
The algebraic formula

t = 2n + 1
Remember: no multiplication sign.

Worksheet 2 ends
Other two stage formulas

Find a formula for these in the same way:

1 2 3
Solution
Term 1 2 3 4 5
No of 5 9 13 17 21
tiles
Term 4 8 12 16 20
×4
Add 1 5 9 13 17 21
Formula is: number of tiles = 4 × term number + 1
Algebraic formula is: t = 4n + 1

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