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Question P6 Growing patterns and tables

Pattern

Q17 — circles in a growing pattern

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Growing patterns and tables

Find the rule, so Figure 250 is no harder than Figure 4.

In this one. Neither colour follows a rule on its own because the colours take turns — add the two rows into one Total row, and the pattern appears at once: each new ring is 4 circles longer than the last.

The first threeeach one adds 3Figure 14Figure 2+3Figure 3+3Any figure3n + 1Figure nFigure 250 = 751

How to spot it

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'.

Common mistake

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.

Practise a similar question

Challenging Figure n is a triangle of small white and grey triangles. Given the counts for Figures 1–4, find (a) Figure 5's counts, (b) the total in Figure 250, (c) the percentage grey in Figure 250.
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