L Patterns

This task is about continuing a spatial pattern and finding the rule.

Question 1Change answer

Suli is playing with counters, making letter Ls of various sizes, like this:

first 3 shapes of an L dot pattern

a)  Complete this table, giving the total number of counters in letter Ls of different sizes:
Height of letter L (counters) 3 4 5 6 7 8
Total number of counters 4 6 8

Question 1Change answer

b)  How many counters in total would be needed to make a letter L that is ...
i)  10 counters high?  counters
ii)  16 counters high?  counters
iii)  37 counters high?  counters

Question 1Change answer

c)  Explain or write a rule that describes how to work out the total number of counters needed from the height of an L-shape.

Question 4Change answer

d)  If the total number of counters was 40, how many counters high would the letter L be?
       counters