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artemishunts200
New member
- Aug 22, 2012
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Please help! I'm stuck on modeling the function for the # of toothpicks in the nth figure. Thank you so much. Renee
Hi artemishunts200,Please help! I'm stuck on modeling the function for the # of toothpicks in the nth figure. Thank you so much. Renee
Hi artemishunts200,
Welcome to MHB. I think something is missing from your question. Is there a diagram in your book or some more info that you haven't posted yet? It will depend on the figures you are trying to draw.
Here's a video discussing this problem with where the figures are houses.
U03_L1_T1_we2 Inductive Patterns - YouTube
Jameson
EDIT: Sorry, I missed "squares" in your title. Still could use some more clarification because you could draw squares a bunch of different ways, depending on how they are connected.
I'm not sure I can solve this for you but don't worry, someone will soon enough. We have very knowledgeable members. Just for clarification though, let me double check I get what you are describing.I have looked at the diagram you've mentioned. My diagram begins with one square as fig. 1, then fig. 2 has a base of three squares with 1 square on top; fig. 3 has a base of five squares with the 2nd layer having three squares and the third layer having 1 square; figure 4. has a base of 7 squares, next layer has 5, next layer has 3, next layer has 1..... Does this help? I know this is not a linear pattern, and I know I am losing sides as squares are added. The question is how many toothpicks in all for the nth figure.
Hi artemishunts200,I have looked at the diagram you've mentioned. My diagram begins with one square as fig. 1, then fig. 2 has a base of three squares with 1 square on top; fig. 3 has a base of five squares with the 2nd layer having three squares and the third layer having 1 square; figure 4. has a base of 7 squares, next layer has 5, next layer has 3, next layer has 1..... Does this help? I know this is not a linear pattern, and I know I am losing sides as squares are added. The question is how many toothpicks in all for the nth figure.
n=4
n=3 * - *
| |
n=2 * - * * - * - * - *
| | | | | |
n=1 * - * * - * - * - * * - * - * - * - * - *
| | | | | | | | | | | |
* - * * - * - * - * * - * - * - * - * - * * - * - * - * - * - * - * - *
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* - * * - * - * - * * - * - * - * - * - * * - * - * - * - * - * - * - *
4 13 26 43
Glad to hear that our answers helped you.Thank you so much, guys! I knew I was on the right track, but I just couldn't get all of it! You are AWESOME!!!
Renee