Workbook 6B
Chapter 9
Lessons 1 and 2 Describing a Pattern
Printer-friendly version: Monday maths blog
Good morning Year 6,
This week we will revise generating and describing number patterns.
Algebra is the part of mathematics in which letters and other general symbols are used to represent numbers and quantities in formulae and equations.
Can you see a pattern in the way the coins are arranged? Can you use counters to continue the pattern according to the rule? Can you explain the rule?
My friend says the counters are always laid out in a triangle – is this helpful? My other friend says the coins are in rows – is this helpful?
There is a connection between the number of rows or the number of coins in the longest row and the position of the pattern in the sequence. The information can be organised systematically for us to study the pattern and describe the rule. We can organise the pattern in a table and use the data to help us find the number of rows and the number of coins in the longest row.
How many rows are in Pattern 6? In pattern 6 there are 6 rows.
How many coins are in the longest row of Pattern 6? The longest row in pattern 6 has 6 coins.
What about Pattern 10? In pattern 10 there are 10 rows. The longest row in pattern 10 has 10 coins.
Can we make a general rule replacing the numbers with a letter or a symbol?
We can use a symbol or a letter to stand for any number:
Here are some helpful videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKyfRLykp6g
VIDEO: Finding patterns in numbers
Here is a demonstration of how a number patterns is worked out using symbols to represent numbers:
As you can see the length of the longer side is related to the rectangle number and there is a way to show this as a general rule, using a symbol or letter.
Task: Complete worksheet 1 and 2 (if you have already done this in class and in your MNP books, please try it again online for revision)
If you need further support, try this: Algebra practice
Extension: Super Sequences activity
Good luck!
Mrs Avdiu xx
Good Morning Mrs Avdiu I am going to do 5 bars of mathletics. I have done the maths no problem. I will start working on the extension now.
You are on a roll! Well done, Elly
Thank you.
Done
Great! How did you find it?
Done