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Number Square Patterns

Category: Variables & Equations, Number Operations, Number Concepts, and Patterns
Suitable for Grade Level: Secondary

The Math in this Problem:

In this investigation, students will perform various mathematical operations to discover patterns within numerically-ordered squares. This exercise will serve as an introduction to understanding mathematical pattern analysis, which is widely used when making educated guesses.

Draw an outline around any 2 by 2 square.

  • Look at the numbers in the square. What patterns do you see?
  • Use addition to find another pattern.
  • Use multiplication to find another pattern.

Draw an outline around any 3 by 3 square.

  • What patterns do you see?
  • Use addition to find another pattern.
  • Use multiplication to find a pattern with the four corner numbers.

Draw an outline around a larger square.

  • What patterns do you see that are similar to the patterns you saw for the smaller squares?

Extensions:

  • What is the sum of any three horizontally adjacent numbers?
  • What is the sum of any three vertically adjacent numbers?
  • What is the sum of any two-by-two square of numbers?
  • What is the sum of any three-by-three array of numbers?
  • What is the sum of any ten-by-ten array of numbers?
  • What is the sum of any cross of five numbers?
  • What is the sum of any three diagonally adjacent numbers?
  • What is the sum of any four diagonally adjacent numbers?
  • What is the sum of any five diagonally adjacent numbers?
  • Find at least three more questions like these that and describe the rules for them.