Activity Overview
Students learn to use the calculator to generate recursive patterns. They explore the connection from patterns to functions and algebraic reasoning. Students examine the idea of a variable for an unknown quantity and express mathematical relationships using equations.
Before the Activity
See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
Print pages 21 - 46 from the attached PDF file
During the Activity
Distribute pages the pages to the class.
Follow the activity procedure:
Activity 1: Guess My Number
On the calculator set a function to add a number
Enter numbers and use the results to find the number added by the function
Find what number will give a specified number as a result with the same operation function
Activity 2: Connecting Cubes
Understand the pattern made by the connected cubes
Find different methods of determining the pattern
Observe the pattern uses skip counting and multiples of a number
Use the calculator to find the color of the 20th and 147th cube
Examine other given sets of connected cubes and find the patterns
Activity 3: Skip Counting
Using information about the number of times skip counting was performed and the result after skip counting, determine the number used to skip count
Understand that there is more than one solution to each problem
Examine the result of skip counting by one and zero
Work backwards to find the starting value
Learn to see a pattern and solve other problems related to skip counting
Use other elementary school activities to develop an understanding of recursive algebra
After the Activity
Review students results and re-teach concepts as necessary.