Numeric patterns are sequences of numbers that follow a specific rule or pattern. Recognizing and understanding these patterns is important in mathematics and can help in solving problems and making predictions.
There are several types of numeric patterns, including:
ArithmeticPatterns: In an arithmetic pattern, each term is obtained by adding or subtracting a constant value from the previous term. The constant value is called the "common difference."
To identify and extend numeric patterns, follow these steps:
Examine the given sequence of numbers to look for a recurring operation or relationship between the terms.
Use the identified pattern to predict and extend the sequence by finding the next few terms.
Verify the extended sequence by applying the pattern to check if the predicted terms fit the pattern.
Example:
Given the sequence 3, 6, 9, 12, ..., identify the pattern and extend the sequence.
Solution: The pattern is an arithmetic sequence with a common difference of 3. To extend the sequence, the next few terms would be 15, 18, 21, and so on, by adding 3 to each previous term.
Practice Questions
1. Identify the type of pattern and extend the sequence: 2, 4, 8, 16, ...
2. Find the next three terms in the sequence: 5, 10, 20, 40, ...
3. Identify the type of pattern and extend the sequence: 1, 4, 9, 16, ...
Hope this study guide helps! Let me know if you need further assistance or more practice questions.
Represent, analyze, and generalize a variety of patterns with tables, graphs, words, and, when possible, symbolic rules.
Connections to the Grade 8 Focal Points (NCTM)
Algebra: Students encounter some nonlinear functions (such as the inverse proportions that they studied in grade 7 as well as basic quadratic and exponential functions) whose rates of change contrast with the constant rate of change of linear functions. They view arithmetic sequences, including those arising from patterns or problems, as linear functions whose inputs are counting numbers. They apply ideas about linear functions to solve problems involving rates such as motion at a constant speed.