Fish patterns

Fish patterns

Pencil and paper
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Using this Resource
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This task is about patterns and their rules.
The pattern of spots on Kevin's fish changed each week as it grew.

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

The pattern on Kevin's fish kept changing like this. Using the pattern, draw what the fish would most probably look like at Week 4, Week 5, and Week 6.
a) Week 4 
b) Week 5
c) Week 6 
d)
Describe the rule you used to work out the patterns on Kevin's fish.
 
 
 
 
Task administration: 
This task is completed with pencil and paper only.
Level:
3
Curriculum info: 
Maths, Number and Algebra, Patterns and relationships
Keywords: 
spatial patterns, recursive rules, quadratic equation
Description of task: 
Students continue a triangular pattern of dots on a fish and write a rule to describe the pattern.
Learning Progression Frameworks
This resource can provide evidence of learning associated with
Patterns and relationships, sets 4-5
within the Mathematics Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Read more about the Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Answers/responses: 

 

Y5 (03/2001)

  

A triangular pattern of dots is drawn.
A recognisable repeating pattern is drawn.

moderate
easy

a)

2 marks – difficult

1 mark – difficult

b)

c)

d)

Any 1 of:

  • Adding on another row with one more spot in it.
  • The spots increase by the number of the week, (e.g., Week 5 – add 5).
  • +1, +2, +3, +4, +5, +6, etc.
  • Other acceptable responses.

very difficult

  

Diagnostic and formative information: 

Common error

Likely miscalculation

Add 3

Looks only at the addition of dots between weeks 2 + 3 to find pattern and excludes week 1.
Figure It Out