Question P1 Growing patterns and tables
Today’s problem — free all day, every step. Every day has one.
A pattern is made up of dots. Figure 1 has 4 dots, Figure 2 has 7 dots and Figure 3 has 10 dots. How many dots will there be in Figure 6?
Find the rule, so Figure 250 is no harder than Figure 4.
In this one. When the step between terms is a constant, you never have to draw the figure — the figure number and the count sit one table apart, so extend the table by adding the step each time.
A row of figures or a table of numbers is shown for the first few terms only, and the question asks for a term far further along, such as 'Figure 6' or 'Figure 250'.
Children extend the sequence one term at a time by drawing or counting. Finding the fixed step or relationship lets them jump straight to the term asked for.
Worked examples of all 33 patterns and skills, in a booklet you can print.