Formulas for Sequences

A number of investigations end up giving you a number pattern (the ones explored here use matchsticks).

Children usually find it quite easy to spot the pattern (it’s going up in 3s), but finding a formula (such as 3n + 2) is more of a challenge.

This investigation explores how this works, explores the idea of the ‘ghost term’ in a sequence and then investigates how line graphs work.

There is so much to explore here, and you get lots of pretty patterns at the end of it all!

A super introduction to some of the key ideas in algebra.

Ages 11-14    Printable materials (pdf) - 5 pages of teachers notes and 5 pupil copymasters.