Chapter 7 Lesson 4

Problem Solving
Find a numeric pattern in problem solving
Quick Check

Extend each pattern by four terms.

1. Rule: add 7
Pattern: 5, 12 , 19 , 26 ,
33

2. Rule: multiply by 3
Pattern: 2, 6 , 18 , 54 ,
162

3. Rule: subtract 5
Vocab
Vocabulary
Numeric Pattern Sequence

A numerical pattern is a sequence of numbers

that has been created based on a rule called a
pattern rule. Pattern rules can use one or more
mathematical operations to describe the
relationship between consecutive numbers in the
sequence.
 Math the
INVESTIGATE in My
MathWorld

Example 1
Daniel is training for a walk-a-thon. In the first week, he walked a total
of five miles. In the second week, he walked a total of 7 miles. In the
third week, he walked a total of 9 miles. Based on his pattern, how
many miles will he walk in the fourth week?
Let’s recall the steps for solving word problems.
 Math the
INVESTIGATE in My
MathWorld

Daniel is training for a walk-a-thon. In the first week, he walked a total

of five miles. In the second week, he walked a total of 7 miles. In the
third week, he walked a total of 9 miles. Based on his pattern, how
many miles will he walk in the fourth week?

What facts do you know?

5 7
Daniel walked miles the first week, miles
9
the second week, and _____ miles the third week.
 Math the
INVESTIGATE in My
MathWorld

Daniel is training for a walk-a-thon. In the first week, he walked a total

of five miles. In the second week, he walked a total of 7 miles. In the
third week, he walked a total of 9 miles. Based on his pattern, how
many miles will he walk in the fourth week?

What do you need to find?

the number of miles Daniel will walk the fourth
week.
 Math the
INVESTIGATE in My
MathWorld

Daniel is training for a walk-a-thon. In the first week, he walked a total

of five miles. In the second week, he walked a total of 7 miles. In the
third week, he walked a total of 9 miles. Based on his pattern, how
many miles will he walk in the fourth week?

I will look for a pattern to solve the problem.

 Math the
INVESTIGATE in My
MathWorld

Daniel is training for a walk-a-thon. In the first week, he walked a total

of five miles. In the second week, he walked a total of 7 miles. In the
third week, he walked a total of 9 miles. Based on his pattern, how
many miles will he walk in the fourth week?

The sequence of the pattern is: 5, 7, 9.

The rule to the pattern is add 2 .
Based on the rule, the next term in the sequence is 11 . So,
 Math the
INVESTIGATE in My
MathWorld

Daniel is training for a walk-a-thon. In the first week, he walked a total

of five miles. In the second week, he walked a total of 7 miles. In the
third week, he walked a total of 9 miles. Based on his pattern, how
many miles will he walk in the fourth week?

Does your answer make sense? Explain.

Sample answer: yes; 9 + 2 = 11.

Apply the Strategy
Taryn made 15 hair ribbons on Monday, 21 hair ribbons on
Tuesday, and 27 hair ribbons on Wednesday. Based on her
pattern, how many hair ribbons will she make on Thursday?

What facts do you know?

Taryn made 15 hair ribbons on Monday, 21 hair ribbons on

Tuesday, and 27 hair ribbons on Wednesday.

Apply the Strategy
Taryn made 15 hair ribbons on Monday, 21 hair ribbons on
Tuesday, and 27 hair ribbons on Wednesday. Based on her
pattern, how many hair ribbons will she make on Thursday?

I will look for a pattern to solve the problem.

Apply the Strategy
Taryn made 15 hair ribbons on Monday, 21 hair ribbons on
Tuesday, and 27 hair ribbons on Wednesday. Based on her
pattern, how many hair ribbons will she make on Thursday?

The pattern sequence is 15, 21, 27.

The rule is add 6. The next number in the sequence is
33. So, Taryn will make 33 hair ribbons on Thursday.
Apply the Strategy
Taryn made 15 hair ribbons on Monday, 21 hair ribbons on
Tuesday, and 27 hair ribbons on Wednesday. Based on her
pattern, how many hair ribbons will she make on Thursday?

Does your answer make sense? Explain.

Sample answer: yes; 27 + 6 = 33

 Apply the Strategy
Solve each problem by looking for a pattern.

A store sold 48 model airplanes in August, 58 model airplanes in

September, and 68 model airplanes in October. Suppose this pattern
continues. How many model airplanes
What
What
How dofacts
are youdo youto
need
going to
will be sold in December? +10 +10 +10 +10 have
solve??
find
Let’s Find Pattern
 
48, 58, 68, 78, 88
88 model airplanes Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2. The table shows how many tickets were sold for the school
play each day. Number
Day
of
Tickets
Monday 31 2
Tuesday 31 6
Wednesday 320
Thursday 324

Friday 328
Based on the pattern, how many tickets Saturday 332
will be sold on Saturday?
332 tickets
 Summary
Recall …
Solving Word Problem Steps

Check Understand
Compare the numbers you Read the word problem carefully
found with what you have to circle the facts and underline
check your answer. what do you need to find ?

Solve Plan
You can solve by Find the pattern in the question
addition pattern or figure out the role for that
subtraction pattern sequence .