Borders Coursework

Authors Avatar

Borders Coursework

1) Investigate the different patterns of development
 

Order of squares going down

1 + 3 + 1 = 5

1 + 3 + 5 + 3 + 1 = 13
New additions. In each case 2 has been added.

1 + 3 +5 7 + 5 + 3 + 1 = 25
Like the previous pattern there are
 Additions with 2 being added on.

For the next pattern I predict that the total number of squares will be 41, using the following pattern:

1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 + 7 + 5 + 3 + 1 = 41

I am now going to check to test my prediction.

Number of squares = 25 + 16 = 41

My prediction was correct. As well as finding a correct method of finding the next pattern I noticed that to find the number of dark squares on the next pattern you use the total number for the previous pattern.
Pattern Dark squares White squares
1 1 4 1 + 4 = 5
2 5 8 5 + 8 = 13
3 13 12 13 + 12 = 25
4 25 16 25 + 16 = 41
WHY?

This happens because you are simply adding on to this. This could be a useful fact in searching for a formula.

I am now going to investigate any differences between the totals.
First of all I will need to find some more totals, as the amount I have will not be conclusive. To find these without drawing any more diagrams I will use my knowledge of the structure (e.g. 1 + 3 + 1).

New orders
Pattern Previous total New additions New totals
5 41 11 + 9 = 20 61 (20 + 41 = 61)
6 61 13 + 11 =24 85 (61 + 24 =85)
7 85 15 + 13 = 28 113
8 113 17 + 15 =32 145
9 145 19 + 17 = 36 181
10 181 21 + 19 =40 221
                                                                                     (These are white squares)

Differences
Total 5 13 25 41 61 85 113 145 181 221
1st difference 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40
2nd difference 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
 
This shows a main difference of 4. I think this will influence the formula. I think this will mainly be in the form of a multiple of 4.
The first formula I will try to find is the formula for the surrounding white squares.

Join now!

Trying for a formula - white squares.

In each case I have observed that if you multiply the pattern number by 4 it gives you the amount of white squares.
E.g.
Pattern
1 x 4 = 4 white squares
2 x 4 = 8 white squares
3 x 4 = 12 white squares
This goes on & by using this method you can find the amount of white squares as long as you have the pattern number.

I have also noticed that the new addition under the new orders table gives the amount of white squares. This is also true for the 1st difference.

Formula for ...

This is a preview of the whole essay