TOOTHPICK PATTERNS
Use matchsticks or toothpicks for these tasks.
TASK 1 Investigate a pattern with individual shapes
a Build a line of three separate houses out of toothpicks.
How many toothpicks did you use? _________
b Complete the following table showing the number of toothpicks needed to build the houses.
No. of houses 1 2 3 4 5 10 100
No. of toothpicks 5
c Find the position-to-term rule for the number of toothpicks.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
d Using the position-to-term rule, find the number of toothpicks needed to build 150 separate
houses.
_________
e How many houses could you build with 300 toothpicks? _________
TASK 2 Investigate a pattern with joined shapes
a Now use toothpicks to build three houses that are joined.
How many toothpicks did you use? _________
b Why is your answer different from the answer in the first task?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
c Complete the following table showing the number of toothpicks needed to build the houses.
No. of houses 1 2 3 4 5 10 100
No. of toothpicks 5
d Find the position-to-term rule for the number of toothpicks.
______________________________________________________________________________
e Using the position-to-term rule, find the number of toothpicks needed to build 150 houses.
_________
f How many houses could you build with 300 toothpicks? _________
TASK 3 Investigate a repeating pattern
a Select one of these patterns of repeating units to build out of toothpicks.
How many
toothpicks did
you use?
_________
b Complete the following table showing the number of toothpicks needed to build the pattern.
No. of units in pattern 1 2 3 4 5 10 100
No. of toothpicks
c Find the position-to-term rule for the number of toothpicks.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
d Using the position-to-term rule, find the number of toothpicks needed to build 150 houses.
_________
e How many houses could you build with 300 toothpicks? _________
TASK 4 Make up your own repeating pattern with toothpicks
a Draw your pattern in the space below. Include at least three repeats.
b How many toothpicks did you use for three repeating units? _________
c Complete the following table showing the number of toothpicks needed to build the pattern.
No. of repeats in pattern 1 2 3 4 5 10 100
No. of toothpicks
d Find the position-to-term rule for the number of toothpicks.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
e Using the position-to-term rule, find the number of toothpicks needed to build 150 houses.
_________
f How many houses could you build with 300 toothpicks? _________