Growing Patterns

Growing patterns of sticks and tiles: count the pieces, predict how many any figure has and type a formula in n for the app to check.

Open the app

Free, runs in the browser, no sign-in or installation.

Subject
Mathematics
Area
Algebra and Functions
Level
Primary and secondary school
The first five figures of a growing square border of tiles, coloured in four equal groups

What you can do

  • Choose one of seven stick or tile patterns; figures 1 to 4 appear side by side, and the n slider shows any of the first 20 figures.
  • A table shows the number of pieces for n from 1 to 5, and the first and second differences if you want them.
  • Predict how many pieces any figure has, then type a formula in n and the app checks it figure by figure, with ✓ or ✗ in the table.
  • Colour the pieces in groups to see the pattern in two or three ways, show the matching expression and type up to four equivalent formulas.
  • Download figure n as a PNG with a white or transparent background.

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