LACSAP’S Fractions-Math IA

Teacher: Kokming Lee

Student: Eric Zhang
Introduction:

When looking at the Lacsap’s triangle, it reminds the Pascal’s triangle learnt in this unit. So that
the aim is to find out a relationship between the row number in this case n will represent roll
number and numerator which will be represented by N; also, find out the relationship between
how many elements within one roll which is r and the denominator as D is also needed. So that the
general statement Er(n) on the base of the relationship of n and N and r and D can be explained. In
this tasked, calculator TI84 is used in order to complete this IA.

Finding the numerator for sixth row:

The first step of find the row six is to find it’s patten, as discovered, the second element of each
row’s Lacsap’s triangle has an exactly the same numerator as the Pascal’s triangle’s third element
in each row. As the picture shown:

Fig. 1
F Fig. 2
As shown, the numbers highlighted in the Pascal’s triangle are 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 21. For Lacsap’s
triangle, the first five number on the dominator are 1, 3, 6, 10, 15. This is showing that the number
on the Lascap’s triangle’s 2nd row’s dominator are the same as the number in the third row of the
Pascal’s triangle. Which is now able to predict that the 6 th row’s dominator for Lascap’s triangle is
21. Follow by this sequence of Pascal’s triangle, we are aware that the general term for this
Numerator will be then (n(n-1))/2, in this place, n represent the row number, as it’s proven by the
first five, so that I assume that the 7 th row’s numerator will be 21. By using the general terms that I
assumed which will be: (7(7-1))/2=21.

The Relationship & Finding A General Statement for The Numerator (N):

This should be a quadratic equation of ax 2+bx+c, however, without drawing the curve, it seems to
be exponential, but as the graph shows further down, an identification of a parabola as the points
on the graph are being plotted. A use A B C in needed in order to find out the general term for
numerator, as the parabola has its general function of Ax2+ Bx + C.

y=0.5X2+0.5X+0

x
0

Fig. 3
 Row n (x axis) Numerator N (y axis)
1 1
2 3
3 6
4 10
5 15

GDC TI-84 is being used to demonstrate the graph, first plot the numbers into the table, and then
used the calculation of Quadratic regression and get the answer that A=0.5, B=0.5 and C=0. So, by
using the “y=” bottom on GDC, put down 0.5X 2+0.5X+0 on topic of the basic function of
Ax2+Bx+C. Then, by plotting the graph we are able to get Fig 3, which is a parabola.

According to the finding a discover in the step of finding the 6 th row, the second numerator
element in each row in the Lacsap’s triangle is the same as the third element of the Pascal’s
triangle. In this case we can use Pascal’s triangle to get the answer.

Third elements in each row (Pascal’s):

3, 6, 10, 15

3=
(32 )
6=
( 42)
10=
(52)
15=
(62)
n!
So, we can get the general term of ncr¿
( n−r ) ! r !
E.g.,
(32)=¿6/1*2=3
( n+1 ) ! = n ( n+1 )
( n−1 ) !2 ! 2
Test for the general statement:

3 (3+ 1 )
Row 3’s numerator: =6
2

4 ( 4+1 )
Row 4’s numerator: =10
2

5 ( 5+ 1 )
Row 5’s numerator: =15
2

6 ( 6+1 )
Row 6’s numerator: =21
2

Proven that this general function can use in the application of finding the numerator for each row.

General statement for numerator (N):

n ( n+1 )
2

Find the sixth and seventh rows:

As general term for the N numerator is already discovered in the last question, in order to find the
numerator for N6 and N7, it can be done by simply substituting the numbers into the general term.

6 ( 6+1 )
N6: =21
2

7 (7 +1 )
N7: =28
2

General terms for dominator are still needed for finding the 6 th and 7th row, as now only the
numerator is found.

The relationship and finding a general statement for the denominator (D):

By observing the diagram, the diagram is showing that by adding 1 to the difference between the
last two denominator gives the value and the number of the next denominator in the next row. This
indicates that depending on how much the difference is for each element, 1 must be added to the
preceding difference in order to calculate the denominator of both the 6th and 7th rows.

For example, by using row 3 and 4 as a demonstration:

-The difference: 7-4=3

 D for row 5 should be = (the difference between row 3 and 4) +
the current denominator
= (3+1) + 7
=11

So, the next denominator is 11 as shown on Fig.4, and based on

the known pattern for denominator, a complete row of rows 6
and 7 are able to find, as numerator are known.

Fig.4

Calculation for denominator for row 6 and 7:

Row 6:

2nd D: ((11-7) +1) +11=16

3rd D: ((9-6) +1) +9=13
4th D: ((9-7) +1) +9=12
5th D: ((9-6) +1) +9=13
6th D: ((11-7) +1) +11=16

So, the sixth row should be: 1,

21 , 21 , 21 , 21 , 21 , 1
16 13 12 13 16

Row 7:

2nd D: ((16-11) +1) +16=22

3rd D: ((13-9) +1) +13=18
4th D: ((12-9) +1) +12=16
5th D: ((13-11) +1) +13=16
6th D: ((13-9) +1) +13+18
6th D: ((16-11+1) +16=22

28 , 28 , 28 , 28 , 28 , 21 1
So, the seventh row should be: 1, ,
22 18 16 16 18 22
A general term for D is still needed in order to complete En(r). So that a graph is essential, which
the elements r is used as x axis and D is used as y axis shown in Fig. 5. Which then used row 5’s
element number r as x axis and each composite denominator as the y axis.
 Element r (x axis) Denominator D (y axis)
0 15
1 11
2 9
3 9
4 11
5 15

As this table above shows the graph:

The process used when finding the general term of D:

Using the 5th row:

C=15
y=x2-5x+15

Fig. 5

Quadratic equation: 0 = Ax2+Bx+C

(x:1; y:11), (x:2, y:9), (x:3, y:9)

11=(A*(12)) + (B*1) + C = A + B + C

9=(A*(22)) + (B*2) + C = 4A + 2B + C

9=(A*(32)) + (B*3) + C = 9A + 3B + C

By subtracting the second equation from the first equation to form an equation 1:
(9 = 4A + 2B + C) - (11 = A + B + C) = 3A + B

Then subtract the third equation from the second equation to form an equation 2:
(9 = 9A + 3B + C) – (9 = 4A + 2B + C) = 5A + B
Lastly, use equation 2 to minus equation 1:
(0 = 5A + B) – (-2 =3A + B) = 2A
A=1

Substitute A in the quadratic equation as 1:

0 = (5*1) + B
0 = 5+ B
B = -5

Lastly, substitute B into the quadratic equation:

9 = (4*1) + (2*(−5)) + C
9 = 4-10+C
9 = -6+C
15 = C

So, the equation which substituted all A = 1, B = -5, C = 15 into the quadratic equation Ax 2 + Bx +
C:
y = (1*x2) + ((−5) *x) + 15

x and y change to r and D

D = (1*r2) + ((−5) *r) + 15

Second approach:
Using technology, which is GDC TI-84.
After plotting the table into statistic, use calculus in the statistic section and chose the “Quadreg”
that represent the quadratic regression, which can prove if the last step that used 5th row is correct.

Fig. 6

As shown in Fig. 6, it’s the same as the result in the last step.

General term for D:

Value B: is the difference between the current numerator and the numerator before it.
Value C: the numerator of the current row

Dn = r2 − ((Nn − Nn−1) * r) + Nn

General statement En(r):

r is the representation of element in that row so as it’s moving to the left of the row, the expression
should be r+1, r+2 etc.
n is the row number.

An example is: E4(1) =

10
7

As the general statement for N the numerator and for D the denominator is already found, it can

come up with a conclusion of En(r) = N n

Dn
Which means:

n (n+1)
n
E 2
(r )= 2
r −(( N n−N n−1)∗r )+ N n

n ( n+1 )
As the discover of the N in denominator, now is able to substitute N with , after
2
n ( n+1 )
substituting all N by , the whole equation for general statement will only made of
2
two variable which is n and r.

n (n+1)
n
E 2
(r )= 2
r −(( N n−N n−1)∗r )+ N n

n(n+ 1)
2
E n(r )=
2 n(n+1) ( n−1)(n+1−1) n( n+1)
r −(( − )∗r )+
2 2 2

n(n+1)
2
E n(r )=
n∗(n+1)( n−1)n n(n+1)
r 2−(( )∗r )+
2 2
 n(n+1)
2
E n(r )= 2 2
2 n −n +n+ n n( n+ 1)
r −(( )∗r)+
2 2

n (n+1)
2
E n(r )=
2n n(n+1)
r 2−(( )∗r )+
2 2

n(n+ 1)
2
E n(r )=
2 n(n+1)
r −n∗r +
2

The last general statement for E n(r ):

n(n+ 1)
2
E n(r )=
n(n+1)
r 2−n∗r +
2

Testing the validity of this general statement:

By using known row and element can test out whether this general statement can be used
for Lascap’s triangle, different n and r will be put into the equation.

Testing 1:
n: 5, r=4

5( 5+1)
2
E 5(4)=
5( 5+1)
4 2−5∗4 +
2

5∗6
E5( 4)=
2
5∗6
16−20+
2

5∗3
E5( 4)=
16−20+ 5∗3
 15
E5( 4)=
16−20+ 15

15
E5( 4)=
11

Testing 2:

n:4, r:1

4 (4 +1)
2
E 4(1)=
4 (4+1)
12−4∗1+
2

2∗5
E4 2
(1)=
1−4 +2∗5

10
E 4(1)=
1−4 +10

10
E 4(1)=
7

Both answers are correct which is a prove that this given general statement of E n
n(n+ 1)
2
(r )= is valid which can be apply later when finding more rows for
2 n( n+1)
r −n∗r +
2
Lacsap’s Triangle.

Checking Validity by finding additional rows:

Row 8: E 8(1), E 8(2), E 8(3), E 8(4), E 8(5), E 8(6), E 8(7).

8 (8+1)
2
E 8(1) =
8 (8+1)
12−8∗1+
2
36
E 8(1) =
29
 8 (8+1)
2
E 8(2) =
8(8+1)
22−8∗2+
2
36
E 8(2) =
24

8(8+1)
2
E 8(3) =
8(8+ 1)
32−8∗3+
2
36
E 8(3) =
21

8 (8+1)
2
E 8(4) =
2 8(8+1)
4 −8∗4 +
2
36
E 8(4) =
20

8(8+1)
2
E 8(5) =
8(8+1)
52−8∗5+
2
36
E 8(5) =
21

8(8+ 1)
2
E 8(6) =
8 (8+1)
62−8∗6+
2
36
E 8(6) =
24

8(8+1)
2
E 8(7) =
2 8(8+1)
7 −8∗7+
2
36
E 8(7) =
29

36 36 36 36 36 36 36
The whole row 8: 1, , , , , , , ,1
29 2 4 2 1 2 0 21 2 4 29
Row 9: E 9(1), E 9(2), E 9(3), E 9(4), E 9(5), E 9(6), E 9(7), E 9(8).

9 (9+1)
2
E 9(1) =
9 (9+1)
12−9∗1+
2
45
E 9(1) =
37

9(9+1)
2
E 9(2) =
9(9+1)
22−9∗2+
2
45
E 9(2) =
31
9(9+1)
2
E 9(3) =
9( 9+ 1)
32−9∗3+
2
45
E 9(3) =
27

9(9+1)
2
E 9(4) =
2 9(9+1)
4 −9∗4 +
2
45
E 9(4) =
25

9(9+1)
2
E 9(5) =
9(9+ 1)
52−9∗5+
2
45
E 9(5) =
25

9(9+ 1)
2
E 9(6) =
9 (9+1)
62−9∗6+
2
45
E 9(6) =
27
 9(9+1)
2
E 9(7) =
9(9+1)
72−9∗7+
2
45
E 9(7) =
31

9(9+ 1)
2
E 9(8) =
9( 9+1)
82−9∗8+
2
45
E 9(8) =
37

45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45
The whole row 9: 1, , , , , , , , ,1
37 3 1 27 25 25 27 31 3 7

Scope and limitation:

1. Positive integers (excluding 0):

This is when n is bigger than 0 and r is bigger than 0.

n: 3, r:1

3 (3+1)
2
E 3(1 ¿=
3 (3+1)
12−3∗1+
2
6
E 3(1 ¿=
1−3+ 6
6
E 3(1 ¿=
4

This is proven valid.

2. Negative integer (excluding 0):

This means that n and r are both smaller than 0

n: -4, r: -3

−4(−4+1)
2
E -4(−3)=
−4(−4 +1)
−32 −(−4∗−3)+
2
 −4(−3)
E -4 2
(−3)=
−9−12−2∗−3
−4 (−3)
E -4 2
(−3)=
−15
−2
E -4(−3 ) =
5

This is proven invalid.

3. Equal 0
This is when n and r both equals to zero

0( 0+1)
2
E 0(0)=
2 0(0+1)
0 −0∗0+
2
0
2
E 0(0)=
0
2

Which doesn’t make sense, proven invalid.

Conclusion for validity: By the three tests for validity above, this is showing that when n and
r are bigger than 1 which is n>1, r>1, the equation is valid. However, when n and r are equal
or smaller than 0, general statement remains invalid.

How to achieve the general statement:

By observing the Lascap’s triangle, a similarity between Lascap’s triangle and Pascal’s
triangle is found. Using the pattern found, it contributed to the process of finding the
numerator which is the N.

By observing the graph for the relation between n and N and r and D, parabola is discovered
so that the quadratic equation of 0=Ax2+Bx+C is used in the further exploration.

After finding the D and N, the equation of En(r) = N n is found, however, D and N must be
Dn
substituted in order to find out the general term. The general term at last after calculation appears
 n(n+1)
2
to be .
2 n(n+ 1)
r −n∗r +
2

Citation:

Can Anyone Help Me with LASCAP's Fractions?,

https://www.fluther.com/131327/can-anyone-help-me-with-lascaps-
fractions/.

“Lacsap's Fractions.” Lacsap's Fractions - The Student Room,

https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1977994.

PhenolphthaleinX. “Mathematics HL and SL Portfolio IA Tips.” The

Student Room, The Student Room Group Ltd, 21 May 2012,
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1865309.