Stick patterns and rules
The growing patterns in this task have been made up from ice block sticks.
Y8 (11/2009) | ||
a) |
Accept functional and sequential descriptions of the rule. Functional:
Sequential:
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moderate |
b) |
Accept functional and sequential descriptions of the rule. Functional:
Sequential:
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moderate |
Based on a representative sample of 150 Y8 students
NOTE:
If students describe a rule that is correct, they should also be able to apply it correctly to show how it works (e.g., they could show how it works for easy numbers such as 10 or 100).
*Students who answered only referring to what happens to the previous shape need to be asked to clarify their rule (see Next steps).
These questions have been phrased to elicit a functional (direct) rule which can be applied to find an nth term of a pattern, rather than a sequential rule which relies upon the recursive nature of the previous term/s.
Click on the link to the Algebraic pattern concept map, to find out more about functional relationships or recursive strategies.
Strategies
For both questions over 40% of students successfully described a functional or sequential rule. Many students answered with a correct sequential rule, and others described how the spatial pattern grew. A number of students could work out the number of sticks required for the example but not describe the rule.
The mean ability of students who described a functional rule was notably higher than students who described a sequential rule. About half of the correct strategies were functional rules for question a) and about a quarter for question b).
Examples of students' correct strategies
*These examples could be cut out and used for class or small group discussion.
**Functional (=F) and sequential (=S)
a) |
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b) |
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Examples of students' incorrect strategies (some of these are very close to sufficient explanations)
a) |
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b) |
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**These strategies/explanations ignore that the starting point is more (Students who ignored the starting point)
Students who described an incorrect/insufficient rule
Encourage the student to identify what is happening from one shape to the next to develop a sequential idea of how the pattern grows. The resources Pyramid pattern and Stacking cans look at developing sequential rules for spatial growing patterns at Level 3. Students could share their rules for the patterns in small groups and check that each others' rules work for all members of the pattern. Once students can identify the sequential rule they could look at developing a functional rule (see Students who described a sequential rule).
Students who described or showed using examples
For students who described or showed with examples the rule for the pattern – they can be asked to find a way to write a rule as an algebraic expression. They should test out the expression on several shape numbers for which the numbers of sticks are known, and then the larger numbers (i.e., how many sticks would be needed for shape number 100).
Students who described a sequential rule
For students who described a sequential rule, ask them how they might find a rule that would work for any given number, e.g., How many sticks for shape 100? Trying to use the sequential rule should be unwieldy and the need for a functional rule can become evident. Additionally, as students apply their sequential rule they may see the connection between the number they are adding on to the previous shape and the coefficient of n (shape number) of the functional rule.
Students who described a functional rule with some errors
For students who described a functional rule, but made some errors, encourage them to share and explain their rule, and check that the rule works for all members of the pattern – not just the first two. A small group discussion should provide peer support to re-check the completeness and accuracy of their rule.
Students who ignored the starting point (also students who used a simple multiplication of previous shape numbers)
Get students to create more shapes of each pattern. Ask, "Does Shape 6 have twice as many sticks as Shape 3?" or "Does Shape 3 have three times as many as Shape 1?" For question a) remove the 3 vertical sticks of each shape and ask how the pattern grows. For question b) take away the first two vertical sticks of each shape and ask how the pattern grows. This should help students see how the intercept influences the pattern. For example in question a) the first shape has 2 + 4 sticks, the second 2 + 4 + 4, so the 2 is the initial term of an arithmetic progression (as well as the intercept) and the 4 is the common difference (or increase) – which becomes the coefficient of n in the rule for the pattern.
For all above misconceptions the range of students' rules from this resource (correct and incorrect) could be printed off and shared in a whole class or small group discussion.
Numeracy resources
Thinking Ahead, Book 9: Teaching Number through Measurement, Geometry, Algebra and Statistics, 2006
For more information about patterns, see the Algebraic Patterns Concept Map.
- Chair and table patterns
- Cross pattern
- Patterns with X and O
- House patterns
- Black and white triangle patterns
- Beehive patterns
- Missing parts
- Matchstick patterns II
- Diamond patterns II
- Patterns with counters
- Matchstick patterns III
- Fish patterns
- Diamond patterns
- Building square patterns
- Pyramid pattern
- Making triangle patterns II
- Block patterns II
- Block patterns
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- Diamond patterns III
- Matchstick patterns
- Stacking cans
- Making triangles
- Tables and chairs
- Building patterns
- Making stick patterns
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- Stick patterns and rules II
- Making stick patterns II
- Making more stick patterns