The diagram shows the first three figures in a sequence of squares with shaded patterns. For each figure, a mathematical pattern is expressed as the following.
Figure 1: 1 + 3 = 4 = 2 x 2 total squares
Figure 2: 1 + 3 + 5 = 9 = 3 x 3 total squares
Figure 3: 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 = 16 = 4 x 4 total squares
- How many white squares are there in Figure 6?
- How many white squares are there in Figure 18?
- Find the sum of 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + ... + 49.
(a)
Figures |
Number of white squares |
Observe the patterns. |
Create a concise formula |
Figure 1 and 2 |
3 |
4 x 1 - 1 |
4(1) - 1 |
Figure 3 and 4 |
3 + 7 |
4 x 1 - 1 +
4 x 2 - 1
|
4(1 + 2) - 2 |
Figure 5 and 6 |
3 + 7 + 11 |
4 x 1 - 1 +
4 x 2 - 1 +
4 x 3 - 1
|
4(1 + 2 + 3) - 3 |
Formula:
Last number in the bracketed series in even figure number = Figure number ÷ 2
Number of white squares in even figure number
= 4 (1 + 2 + ... + Last number) - Last number
Last number
= Figure Number ÷ 2
= 6 ÷ 2
= 3
Number of white squares in Figure 6
= 4 (1 + 2 + ...+ 3) - 3
= 4 ((3 x 4) ÷ 2) - 3
= 4 x 6 - 3
= 24 - 3
= 21
(b)
Last number
= Figure Number ÷ 2
= 18 ÷ 2
= 9
Number of white squares in Figure 18
= 4 (1 + 2 + ...+ 9) - 9
= 4 [(9 x 10) ÷ 2] - 9
= 4 x 45 - 9
= 180 - 9
= 171
(c)
Sum of consecutive odd numbers = [(1 + Last number) ÷ 2]
2 Sum of consecutive odd from 1 to 49
= [(1 + 49) ÷ 2]
2 = 25
2 = 25 x 25
= 625
Answer(s): (a) 21; (b) 171; (c) 625