Understanding Number Patterns and Rules
Understanding Number Patterns and Rules
Strand: Number
■ number patterns and relationships
3
Strand: Algebra
■ expressing generality
■ function
Generalising
patterns and rules
Mathematicans, scientists and engineers use rules to explain number patterns
that they discover and use in their experiments and work. Companies use
rules or formulas to set up number patterns that help them calculate costs,
investigate their operations or plan for the future.
The rules are most often written using algebra, the language of mathematics.
Algebra describes number patterns.
Learning outcomes
Strand: Number
Substrand: Number patterns and relationships
■ Generate and investigate number sequences which may involve fractions, decimals and
combinations of operations, using a calculator where appropriate.
Strand: Algebra
Substrand: Expressing generality
■ Develop, interpret and simplify mathematical expressions which describe rules for
relationships and mensuration formulas.
■ Construct and interpret rules for simple relationships between variables and between
successive terms in sequences.
Substrand: Function
■ Use ordered pairs to locate and describe the positions of points on a Cartesian coordinate grid.
CSF7 ch03 final 10/16/00 12:43 PM Page 50
Number patterns
SkillBuilder In a simple number pattern you can make predictions about the next numbers in
NU 4.1 the pattern. A rule is used to find the next number in the pattern.
1
Worked example 1
Work out the rule for predicting the next number in this pattern:
2, 5, 8, 11, 14, _ , _ , _
Skillsheet 3.1 Then use the rule to find the missing numbers.
Solution
The rule for the pattern is ‘add 3 to any number in the pattern to find the next
number’. The missing numbers are 17, 20, 23.
2
Worked examples 2
1 Pentagon pattern
b Count the straight lines needed to make one (1) pentagon, two (2) pentagons,
three (3) pentagons, …
c Write the results in the table.
d Study the pattern and write the relationship or rule connecting the number
of pentagons and the number of lines that form the pattern. Start with, ‘The
number of lines needed to draw the pentagon pattern is …’
e Use your rule to find the number of lines needed to draw 63 pentagons.
Solution
a, b and c Number of pentagons (P) 1 2 3 4 5
Number of lines (L) 5 10 15 20 25
d Rule: The number of lines needed to draw the pentagon pattern is the
number of pentagons multiplied by 5.
L P5
e For 63 pentagons: P 63
So: number of lines 63 5
315 lines
2 L-shapes
c In words, write the rule connecting the number of cuts to the number of
pieces.
d Copy and complete the following rule, which is written as a formula:
number of pieces ? number of cuts
or: P __ C
2 T-shapes. The first two T-shapes in the pattern are shown below.
a Write the title ‘T-shapes’ and draw the first five T-shapes.
7
9
… 40
50
100
c In words, write the rule connecting the arm length to the number of tiles.
d Copy and complete the following rule, which is written as a formula:
number of tiles ? arm length ?
or: T __ A __
3 Diamonds
a Write the title ‘Diamonds’. Then copy this table into your book.
b Count lines (or build diamonds with matchsticks) to help you complete
the table.
c Look for a pattern in the number of lines (L) in the table for the first five
diamonds.
d Predict the lines required for 8, 9 and 11 diamonds, then check by
drawing or building 11 diamonds.
e Write a rule in words and symbols to predict the number of lines (L)
required to make a given number of diamonds (D).
f Use your rule to predict the number of lines needed to make:
i 47 diamonds ii 116 diamonds.
g How many diamonds could you make with 109 lines?
4 Flights. The diagram shows the first two flight shapes, made from toothpicks.
a Write the heading ‘Flights’. Then
draw the first five flight shapes.
Worksheet
1
3.1 2
3
4
5
Worksheet
3.2 7
9
… 95
50
100
c In words, write the rule connecting the number of stages to the number
of toothpicks.
d Copy and complete the following rule written as a formula:
Homework number of toothpicks ? number of stages ?
AL 7.2 or: T __ S __
Problem solving
Triangles in polygons
1 How many triangles will be made inside a polygon with 16 sides if one
corner is connected to every other corner by only one line? (That is, no lines
can cross.)
You might like to write down your best guess first.
3
Worked examples 3
Consider two number machines with different rules.
The number coming out is always written first.
1 Rule: out 3 in 1
a If 2 is put into the machine the out number is 3 times 2 plus 1.
out 3 2 1 6 1 7
b If 3 is put into the machine:
out 3 3 1
10
c If 4 is put into the machine:
out 3 4 1
12 1 13
Write a table to record this information.
Solution
Rule: out 3 in 1
in out
a 2 7
b 3 10
c 4 13
in out
a 5 90
b 6 88
c 7 86
Solution
The rule says ‘Double the in number and take the result away from 100.’
a 100 2 5 100 10
90
b 100 2 6 100 12
88
c 100 2 7 100 14
86
The table is correct.
2 Which one of the rules below was used to make this table?
a out in 2 3
in out b out in 3 2
0 2 c out in 4 2
1 6 d out in 5 3
e out in 6 7
3 Which one of the rules below was used to make this table?
a out in 1 3
in out
b out in 3 5
0 3 c out 5 in 3
10 23 d out 2 in 3
e out 10 in in
4
Worked example 4
Find the rule for each of these tables.
Write the rule in words, then complete the table.
a b c
in out in out P F
3 7 40 60 4 9
8 12 5 95 10 21
2 6 12 88 2 5
11 99 6
4 100 17
25 1 100
202 2 34
Solution in out
a The rule seems to be ‘add 4 to the in number’. 3 7
Check: 3 4 7
8 12
8 4 12
2 6
2 4 6
The rule is: out = in 4 11 15
The completed table looks like the 4 8
one on the right. 25 29
202 206
d in out e A B f A B
2 48 10 134 1 5
7 43 24 120 4 14
23 27 72 72 10 32
45 44 3
0 100 20
15 87 100
50 123 1000
g X Y
h X Y
i M N
0 1 1 4 1 5
3 13 3 14 5 45
6 25 5 24 10 95
10 7 100
15 9 125
20 23 99
25 57 75
j M N k in out l A B
2 20 1 995 0 0
3 18 3 985 1 1
4 16 5 975 2 4
0 10 3 9
5 30 4
7 50 5
12 100 11
25
m n o
A B X Y K P
1 2 1 2 7 44
Worksheet
3.3 2 5 2 4 8 59
3 10 5 10 9 76
4 17 7 14 10 95
5 12 20
6 35 17
12 79 4
Homework
AL 7.3 100 123 101
Using technology
Jailbreak
X
Jailbreak is a mathematical game which involves algebra. The game is played
in pairs. The aim of the game is for both you and your partner to crack the cell Excel
A B C
1 Jail break
2 In Out Rule(s)
3
4
Step 2: Without letting your partner see what you are doing, enter a number in
cell A3. (Try using decimals when you are confident with how the
game operates.)
Step 3: In cell B3, enter a formula which uses cell A3. You can use up to three
mathematical operations in your formula. For example:
A B C
1 Jail break Remember:
*
2 In Out Rule(s)
/
3 4 2*A31 +
4 -
Step 4: Your partner uses the keyboard and must now try to work out your
formula by listing all the possible rules in column C. The time allowed
for working out the rules is 2 minutes.
Step 5: After the time has expired, check all the possible formulas recorded in
column C against the formula locked in at cell B3. If your partner
matches the formula to that in cell B3, he or she will receive 5 points.
Your partner also receives 1 point for each other correct formula.
Step 6: The winner of the game is the first person to record 50 points.
Be the first player to gain 50 points and you will have mastered cracking coded
cells!
5
Worked examples 5
1 Find the rule in this table.
in out Solution
By extending back up the pattern of out
0 ?
2
4 11 difference
2 is 2
5 13
2
6 15
2
7 17
2
out value
1 5 difference when in = 0
2 difference
2 7 is still 2
2
3 9
2
4 11
Solution
The easy method does not work in this case because the in numbers are not a
sequence of numbers increasing by ones.
You can find the rule by expanding the table to include the missing in values:
in out
0 4
5
1 9
5 difference Rule is out 5 in 4
2 14 is 5
5
3 19
5
4 24 difference out value
5
5 29 when in = 0
5
6 34
5
7 39
5
8 44
5
9 49
5
10 54
5
11 59
5
12 64
5
13 69
a b c A B
0 2 0 3 0 …
4 2
1 6 1 5 1 …
4 2
2 10 2 7 2 15
4 ?
3 14 3 9 3 22
4 18 4 … 4 29
5 22 10 … 5 36
8 … 62 … … 50
14 … 13 …
… 66 … 694
d e f
X Y R D
1 … 0 … 1 …
2 13 1 … 2 …
3 … 4 49 6 48
4 19 5 61 7 56
5 22 6 73 8 64
6 25 7 85 9 72
9 … 8 97 10 80
10 … 14 … 23 …
… 800
… 824
g h i
❄ L S
8 26 4 31 12 107
9 28 5 32 13 116
10 30 6 33 14 125
11 32 7 … 15 134
12 34 9 36 16 143
3 … 12 … … 359
25 … … 118 103 …
… 80
… 94
j T k L M l C W
17 81 10 34 33 56
18 86 11 37 34 58
19 91 12 40 35 60
20 96 13 43 36 62
21 101 14 46 37 64
2 … 22 … 50 …
… 46 51 … … 140
111 …
… 424
m n o
H G Z Q E F
4 18 0 9 0 3
2 10 7 72 2 7
100 402 4 45 4 19
1 6 8 81 6 39
10 42 6 63 8 67
3 14 2 27 11 …
5 … 9 90 14 …
0 … 1 … 100 … Worksheet
3.4
17 … … 234
… 981
Worksheet
3.5
Using technology
Match stick patterns
Your task is to investigate matchstick patterns and find the rules which describe
and predict the pattern.
Triangle patterns
1 Consider the matchstick pattern below. Can you see a pattern relating the
number of matchsticks to the number of triangles produced?
2 Set up a spreadsheet similar to the one below to help you with your
investigation.
A B C
1 Number of triangles Number of matches Formula
2 1 3
3 2 5
4 3 7
5 4
6 5
7 6
3 Investigate a spreadsheet formula that will let you complete column B and
hence generalise a formula for the number of matches used for each number
of triangles.
Square patterns
1 Consider the number of matches required to make this pattern of squares.
6
Worked example 6
Use the skills you have learnt so far to investigate the pattern below and find
the rule which describes and predicts the pattern. Make a table of results first.
Then you can plot the results as a graph.
(Recall the L-shapes pattern from question 2 in Worked Example 2.)
Solution
The table summarising the pattern is:
These results can be graphed using two axes. Draw the axes and label the
horizontal axis as A (arm length) and the vertical axis as T (number of tiles).
vertical axis
T
14
12
Number of tiles
10
8
6 horizontal axis
4
2
A
0
1 2 3 4 5 6
Arm length
3-lane bridge
a Copy and complete the results table Lanes on bridge Number of tiles
on the right. Try to predict the (L) (T)
missing values without drawing more 1 5
than five bridges. 2 6
b In words, write the rule connecting
3 …
the number of lanes to the number
4 …
of tiles.
5 …
7 …
9 …
… 16
50 …
100 …
1 paddock 2 paddocks
3 paddocks 4 paddocks
a Make a results table to help you predict the next three paddocks. Use P
for the number of paddocks and F for the number of fence sections.
b In words, write the rule linking the number of paddocks with the number
of fence sections needed to make them.
c Copy and complete the following rule which is written as a formula:
number of fence sections ? number of paddocks ?
or: F __ P __
d Predict the number of fence sections required to make 100 paddocks.
e Plot a graph of the rule, with P on the horizontal axis (scale 1 to 7) and F
on the vertical axis (scale 1 to 40).
3 Terrace houses. A pattern of terrace house shapes is shown below.
a Make a table and find the rule. Use the number of houses (H) in the terrace
as the in number and the number of matchsticks (M) as the out number.
b Predict the number of matchsticks used to make a terrace of 21 houses.
c Copy and complete the following rule which is written as a formula:
M ………………………………
d Rule a neat set of axes in your book. Show M on the horizontal axis
(scale 1 to 4) and H on the vertical axis (scale 1 to 20). Carefully plot the
points from the table you completed in part a.
4 Arranging desks
a At the school fete, students set up a coffee shop using square desks and
chairs. By arranging them as shown in the diagram above, they can change
the seating arrangements for different groups of people. Copy and complete
the table of values below, showing the next three terms of the pattern.
Number of desks (D) 1 2 3 4 5 6
Number of chairs (C) 4 6 8
5 Restaurant tables
a Trace six copies of the table shape above and cut them out. (Be
accurate!) Some teachers like tables this shape because of the many
different ways the tables can be arranged. Here are some examples.
b Draw in your notebook at least three other possible arrangements for the
tables.
c One teacher liked an ordered classroom, and set up the tables in straight
lines, like this:
Draw up a table of results showing the link between the number of tables
in a row (T) and the number of chairs needed (C).
d From the table in part c, write the rule in words and then as a formula.
e Use your rule from part d to find the maximum number of students that
could be seated at:
i 10 tables ii 15 tables iii 19 tables
f Would there be empty spaces for more seats at the row of tables which fits:
i 24 students? ii 25 students? iii 26 students?
7 Extending numbers patterns.
Write the next five terms for each number pattern below. Write a
mathematical rule to describe the pattern. Use your rule to predict the 80th
number for each sequence. (The first one has been done for you).
a 3, 6, 9, 12, __, __, __, __, __
Make a table first. The numbers in the top row are the in numbers and
show the position of the out number in the pattern.
in 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
out 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27
Worksheet
The rule is out 3 in. 3.6
The 80th number in the sequence will be out 3 80 240.
b 0, 2, 4, 6, __, __, __, __, __ c 6, 11, 16, 21, __, __, __, __, __
d 8, 14, 20, 26,__, __, __, __, __ e 7, 10, 13, __, __, __, __, __ Homework
f 3, 5, 7, 9, __, __, __, __, __ g 5, 7, 9, 11, __, __, __, __, __, AL 7.4
Problem solving
Investigate at least two of the problems on the next page. Write a report of your
investigations. Your report should include:
• a drawing or diagrams
• a mathematical rule
• a results tables
• a clear conclusion, written in words.
Chapter 3 Review
1 Copy and complete each of these patterns and write a rule which explains Ex 3.1
the pattern each time.
a 15, 19, 23, __, __, __
b 31, 28, 25,__, __, __
c 96, 89, 82, __, __, __
d 24, 35, 46, __, __, __
e 2, 12, 72, __, __, __
f 3, 7, 15, 31, __, __, __
g 8, 0.8, 0.08, __, __, __
h 1, 5, 45, 445, __, __, __
2 Copy and complete each of the following in and out tables. Ex 3.3
a The rule is out in 5 b The rule is out 200 5 in
in out in out
1 1
3 5
5 10
7 12
20 20
A B A B
5 1
6 2
7 3
10 78
30 89
3 Which rule from the five choices given below were used to make each table? Ex 3.4
a b
in out in out
0 4 1 1
1 8 3 5
i out in 1 4 i out in 2 1
ii out in 1 7 ii out in 1 2
iii out in 2 6 iii out in 1 2
iv out in 4 2 iv out in 2 1
v out in 4 4 v out in 2 2
Ex 3.4 4 Here are the first few stages of a dots and triangles pattern.
Ex 3.4 5 Copy each table. Find its rule, write it in words and then as a formula. Then
complete the table.
a b c
in out in out
1 8 1 24 1 1
2 9 2 23 2 4
3 10 3 22 3 7
8 7 6
12 9 9
17 17 10
24 25 100
d e f
D R a b x y
1 3 0 2 0 11
2 11 1 3 1 20
3 19 2 6 … 29
4 27 3 11 3 …
9 … 8 … … 47
11 … 21 … 16 …
30 … 50 … 8 …
41 …
6 Here are the first four stages of a triangle pattern made of matchsticks. Ex 3.6
a Copy and complete the results table below. Try to predict the missing
values without drawing more than five triangles.
b In words, write the rule connecting the number of triangles to the number
of matchsticks.
c Write the rule as a formula:
number of sticks ? number of triangles ?
or: out __ in __
d Make a graph of the results for 1 to 7 triangles.
7 When talking about patterns, rules and algebra, some of the key words are:
generalise formula algebra
pattern numeral predict
order rule table
add sequence number
difference prediction expression
a Write the list of words given above in alphabetical order. (Many of them
will be used in the crossword on the next page.)
b Copy and complete the crossword on the next page, using the words in
the list above to help you. (You can photocopy the blank crossword if
you wish.)
1 2 3
5 6
9 10
11 12
13
14
15
16