Representing Patterns

Level: Year 5, Year 6, Year 7 & Year 8 (can be used for later years if we look at non-linear patterns)

Author: Leanne McMahon

Description:

Patterns can be represented in several ways and the number of ways you choose will depend on the year level or development of the student. In this activity, we will examine the representation of patterns in the following ways:

1. As a diagram
2. In a verbal description
3. As a chart
4. As an algebraic formula
5. In graphical form

This activity covers the following Australian Curriculum – Mathematics Content:

Year 5:

• Describe, continue and create patterns with fractions, decimals and whole numbers resulting from addition and subtraction (ACMNA107)

Year 6:

• Continue and create sequences involving whole numbers, fractions and decimals. Describe the rule used to create the sequence (ACMNA133)

Year 7:

• Introduce the concept of variables as a way of representing numbers using letters (ACMNA175)
• Create algebraic expressions and evaluate them by substituting a given value for each variable (ACMNA176)

List of Resources:

• The site http://www.visualpatterns.org/ has nearly 400 different patterns. Not all are linear, meaning their graphs may not produce straight lines, but they make great challenges.

For any  questions or queries please contact: choosemaths@amsi.org.au