Math Games

Grade 6 - Patterning and Algebra

Standard 6.PA.1 - Analyze the geometric growth pattern to find the missing number.

Included Skills:

Patterns and Relationships
• identify geometric patterns, through investigation using concrete materials or drawings, and represent them numerically;
• make tables of values, for growing patterns given pattern rules, in words (e.g., start with 3, then double each term and add 1 to get the next term), then list the ordered pairs (with the first coordinate representing the term number and the second coordinate representing the term) and plot the points in the first quadrant, using a variety of tools (e.g., graph paper, calculators, dynamic statistical software);
• determine the term number of a given term in a growing pattern that is represented by a pattern rule in words, a table of values, or a graph (Sample problem: For the pattern rule "start with 1 and add 3 to each term to get the next term", use graphing to find the term number when the term is 19.);
• describe pattern rules (in words) that generate patterns by adding or subtracting a constant, or multiplying or dividing by a constant, to get the next term (e.g., for 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, ..., the pattern rule is "start with 1 and add 2 to each term to get the next term"), then distinguish such pattern rules from pattern rules, given in words, that describe the general term by referring to the term number (e.g., for 2, 4, 6, 8, ..., the pattern rule for the general term is "double the term number");
• determine a term, given its term number, by extending growing and shrinking patterns that are generated by adding or subtracting a constant, or multiplying or dividing by a constant, to get the next term (Sample problem: For the pattern 5000, 4750, 4500, 4250, 4000, 3750, ..., find the 15th term. Explain your reasoning.);
• extend and create repeating patterns that result from rotations, through investigation using a variety of tools (e.g., pattern blocks, dynamic geometry software, geoboards, dot paper).