Download Consecutive Numbers

Investigations
N1/L1.6
CONSECUTIVE NUMBERS
Take 3 consecutive numbers, for example, 2, 3, 4
a)
find the square of the middle number (3 x 3 = 9)
b)
multiply the first and third numbers together (2 x 4 = 8)
c)
find the difference between the 2 answers (9 - 8 = 1)
Try this for several sets of consecutive numbers, including 2 digit
numbers eg 21, 22, 23, and then draw up a table to show your results.
You could use headings such as:
Numbers
used
Middle number
squared
1st x 3rd
Difference
What do you notice?
Now try doing the same with numbers which are:
a)
2 apart
eg 2, 4, 6
b)
5 apart
eg 5, 10, 15
c)
10 apart
eg 10, 20, 30
In each case try about 5 examples at least and draw up a table of your
findings.
This time you could include a column called: Gap between numbers
Can you find a regular pattern?
Try describing the pattern in words.
Discuss your work with your tutor and decide what you need to work on
next.
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