Use geometric patterns to teach your class how to write functions. The assessment task has scholars consider a pattern of dots to draw the next picture of the pattern. Pupils then analyze the pattern, which helps them develop a function for the total number of dots in each picture.

Concepts

geometric patterns, patterns, functions

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Additional Tags

math

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Instructional Ideas

• Have struggling learners draw more of the pattern to see relationships

Classroom Considerations

• Pupils should have prior experience writing functions to represent patterns
• Note that the task touches on the idea of recursive and explicit formulas, but it does not provide this terminology

Pros

• Resource provides data table to help with organization
• Rubric gives a possible weighting system to determine point values

Cons

• Answer key has some inconsistencies (sticks vs. dots) and some incorrect values