2D And 3D Sequences Project Essay, Research Paper
Plan of Investigation In this experiment I am going to require the following: A calculator A pencil A pen Variety of sources of information Paper Ruler In this investigation I have been asked to find out how many squares would be needed to make up a certain pattern according to its sequence. The pattern is shown on the front page. In this investigation I hope to find a formula which could be used to find out the number of squares needed to build the pattern at any sequencial position. Firstly I will break the problem down into simple steps to begin with and go into more detail to explain my solutions. I will illustrate fully any methods I should use and explain how I applied them to this certain problem. I will firstly carry out this experiment on a 2D pattern and then extend my investigation to 3D. The Number of Squares in Each Sequence I have achieved the following information by drawing out the pattern and extending upon it. Seq. no.12345678 No. Of cubes151325416185113 I am going to use this next method to see if I can work out some sort of pattern: SequenceCalculationsAnswer 1=11 22(1)+35 32(1+3)+513 42(1+3+5)+725 52(1+3+5+7)+941 62(1+3+5+7+9)+1161 72(1+3+5+7+9+11)+1385 82(1+3+5+7+9+11+13)+15113 92(1+3+5+7+9+11+13+15) +17 145 What I am doing above is shown with the aid of a diagram below; If we take sequence 3: 2(1+3)+5=13 2(1 squares) 2(3 squares) 1(5 squares) The Patterns I Have Noticied in Carrying Out the Previous Method I have now carried out ny first investigation into the pattern and have seen a number of different patterns. Firstly I can see that the number of squares in each pattern is an odd number. Secondly I can see that the number of squares in the pattern can be found out by taking the odd numbers from 1 onwards and adding them up (according to the sequence). We then take the summation (å) of these odd numbers and multiply them by two. After doing this we add on the next consecutive odd number to the doubled total. I have also noticied something through the drawings I have made of the patterns. If we look at the symetrical sides of the pattern and add up the number of squares we achieve a square number. Attempting to Obtain a Formula Through the Use of the Difference Method I will now apply Jean Holderness’ difference method to try and find a formula. Pos.in seq. 123456 No.of squar. (c)1513254161 1st differ. (a+b)048121620 2nd differ. (2a)44444 We can now use the equation an<sup>2</sup> + bn + c ‘n’ indicating the position in the sequence. If a = 2 then c = 1 and a + b = 0 If 2 is equal to b- then b = -2 I will now work out the equation using the information I have obtained through using the difference method: 1) 2(n -1) (n – 1) + 2n – 1 2) 2(n<sup>2</sup> – 2n + 1) + 2n – 1 3) 2n<sup>2</sup> – 4n + 2 + 2n – 1 4) 2n<sup>2</sup> – 2n + 1 Therefore my final equation is: 2n<sup>2</sup> – 2n + 1 Proving My Equation and Using it to Find the Number of Squares in Higher Sequences I will now prove my equation by applying it to a number of sequences and higher sequences I have not yet explored. Sequence 3: 1. 2(3<sup>2</sup>) – 6 + 1 2. 2(9) – 6 + 1 3. 18 -5 4. = 13 The formula when applied to sequence 3 appears to be successful. Sequence 5: 1. 2(5<sup>2</sup>) – 10 + 1 2. 2(25) – 10 + 1 3. 50 – 10 + 1 4. 50 – 9 5. = 41 Successful Sequence 6: 1. 2(6<sup>2</sup>) – 12 + 1 2. 2(36) – 12 +1 3. 72 – 12 + 1 4. 72 – 11 5. = 61 Successful Sequence 8: 1. 2(8<sup>2</sup>) – 16 + 1 2. 2(64) – 16 + 1 3. 128 – 16 + 1 4. 128 – 15 5. = 113 Successful The formula I found seems to be successful as I have shown on the previous page. I will now use the formula to find the number of squares in a higher sequence. So now I wil use the formula 2n<sup>2</sup> – 2n + 1 to try and find the number of squares contained in sequence 20. Sequence 20: 2 (20<sup>2</sup>) – 40 + 1 2(400) – 40 + 1 800 – 40 + 1 800 – 49 = 761 Instead of illustrating the pattern I am going to use the method I used at the start of this piece of coursework. The method in which Iused to look for any patterns in the sequences. I will use this to prove the number of squares given by the equation is correct. As shown below: 2(1+3+5+7+9+11+13+15+17+19+21+23+25+27+29+31+33+35+37) + 39 = 761 I feel this proves the equation fully. Using the Difference Method to Find an Equation to Establish the Number of Squares in a 3D Version of the Pattern Pos.in seq.012345 No.of squar.-1172563129 1st differ.26183866 2nd differ.412202836 3rd differ.8888 So therefore