Cameron M - Quadratics Question

Question

Hi there! I’m Cam. My teacher left during online school to have her baby and my new teacher hasn’t been helping. I don’t understand the assignment so I had a few questions.

Here’s the first question:

Here is a pattern of squares. S represents the number of small square in the pattern as a function of n, the step number. Which expression could define S?

Options:

1. 3n
2. n + 3
3. n^2 + 2
4. n^ + 3

Here’s a link to the picture for reference: https://photos.app.goo.gl/jVa4EMKaupx9rQBT7

Thanks!

Answer 1

You are looking for an expression that works for n = 1,..4 ( illustrated in the slide). The best way to go about this is to try each expression. Choice(a) "3n", works for the n = 1 & n = 2 ( the first two sets of boxes) but fails for the third set of boxes. So, this is not the answer! Choice (b) "n+3" also works for n=1 & n=2 for fails for the third set of boxes. Similarly, you can cross (b) off the list. Choice (c) "n^2 +2" works for n=1, n=2, and n=3, and n=4.So you are done! In higher math classes you will be proving things by induction, but for now this is all that is required.