Basic 6Mathematics18 min

Pattern Rules in Words and Algebra

Learners write matchstick pattern rules.

Describe pattern rules in words and algebraic expressions.

Learners build growing matchstick designs and need a quick rule for any term number.

Pattern Rules in Words and Algebra illustration

Learners write matchstick pattern rules.

A matchstick pattern has 4 sticks in term 1 and adds 3 each term. Write a rule for term n.

  1. Term 1 has the starting 4 sticks, and each step after adds 3 sticks.
  2. For term n, the rule is 4 + 3(n - 1), which simplifies to 3n + 1.