The diagram shows the pattern for the number of circles.
- How many circles will Pattern 8 contain?
- How many circles will Pattern 41 contain?
- Which pattern contains 553 circles?
(a)
Pattern for the number of circles
Figure 1: 1
2 + 1 + 1 = 3
Figure 2: 2
2 + 2 + 1 = 7
Figure 3: 3
2 + 3 + 1 = 13
Formula
Number of circles = Figure number
2 + Figure number + 1
Figure 8: 8
2 + 8 + 1 = 73
(b)
Number of circles in Figure 41
= 41
2 + 41 + 1
= 1681 + 41 + 1
= 1723
(c)
Guess & Check
Figure number
2 + Figure number + 1 = 553
23
2 + 23 + 1 = 553
Figure 23 contains 553 circles.
Answer(s): (a) 73; (b) 1723; (c) 23