So, you want to learn about patterning?

Well you’re in luck because today we’re going to make it all clear… That is before we get to the hard stuff.

I’m your host Nicole, with my partner Erica, together we’re going to make patterning as easy as pie, or should I say pi? Sorry, a little math joke there. Now, this not your average “a b c a b c a b-what comes next?” that you learned in Grade 1. Oh no, we going to be learning input/output. We’ll do more later, but for today that’s all you have to learn.

The X column represents the input. And the Y column represents-you guessed it-the output. So now what we have to figure out is how to we get from the X to the Y. First let’s start with the 1 turning into a 3. Let’s try something simple, like adding 2. 1+2=3. That works. Now we have to try it with the other numbers. 2+2=4. No, that doesn’t work, so let’s try something else. How about multiplying be 3? 1x3=3. So that works for one. 2x3=6. So it works again. 3x3=9.4x3=12. 5x3=15. So we have found our answer. Now to write the rule: Xx3=Y. Now that my look confusing to you, but really it’s very simple! See since X represents the input, and Y represents the out put, and you have to multiply be 3 to get from X to Y, Xx3=Y.

Now let’s try a chart with a slightly harder 2 step rule. Don’t worry, we’re not going to get into rules like Xx4-5x2+2=Y.

Let’s get to work on this problem. Now let’s try multiplying by 2, then adding 2. 1x2=2+2=4. So far so good. 2x2=4+2=6. Uh oh, that doesn’t work. Lets try again, how about multiplying by 3, then adding 1. 1x3=3+1=4, well, it passed the first test. 2x3=6+1=7, looking good. 3x3=9+1=10. 4x3=12+1=13. 5x3=15+1=16. There, we found out our answer.

Now the rule: Xx3+1=Y. So that’s all you need to know about input and output. We will see you next time on the 6BD math blog. Here are some journal questions about input and output:
What do you know about patterns?
What do you still want to learn?