Question 36
Consider the pattern made of square tiles in the picture below.
(i) How many square tiles are there in each figure? (ii) How many are there in Step 4 of the sequence? What about Step 10? (iii) Write an algebraic expression for the number of tiles in Step . Share your methods with the class. Can you find more than one method to arrive at the answer?

We can find a pattern in the number of tiles by observing how the figures grow.
Step 1 — Count tiles in each figure
Explanation: Let us count the pink square tiles in each figure. Explanation: We label the figures as Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3.
For Step 1: Explanation: This figure is a square with a hole. Explanation: We subtract the inner white squares from the total squares.
For Step 2: Explanation: This figure is a square with a hole. Explanation: We subtract the inner white squares from the total squares.
For Step 3: Explanation: This figure is a square with a hole. Explanation: We subtract the inner white squares from the total squares.

Step 2 — Find the number of tiles for Step 4 and Step 10
Explanation: We see a pattern in the number of tiles: 8, 12, 16. Explanation: This is an arithmetic progression (a sequence where the difference between consecutive terms is constant). Explanation: Let be the number of tiles in Step . Explanation: The common difference () is .
For Step 4: Explanation: We add 4 to the number of tiles in Step 3.
For Step 10: Explanation: We use the formula for an arithmetic progression: . Explanation: Here, is the first term (8 for Step 1), and is the common difference (4).
Step 3 — Algebraic expression for Step (Method 1: Outer square minus inner hole)
Explanation: Let be the step number. Explanation: The outer square has a side length of units. Explanation: The inner white hole has a side length of units. Explanation: The number of tiles is the area of the outer square minus the area of the inner hole. Number of tiles in Step =
Step 4 — Algebraic expression for Step (Method 2: Counting sides)
Explanation: Let be the step number. Explanation: We count the tiles along each side of the figure. Explanation: The top row has tiles. Explanation: The bottom row also has tiles. Explanation: The left column has tiles, not counting the top and bottom corners. Explanation: The right column also has tiles, not counting the top and bottom corners. Number of tiles in Step = (Top row) + (Bottom row) + (Left side) + (Right side)
Answer
(i) There are 8 tiles in Step 1, 12 tiles in Step 2, and 16 tiles in Step 3. (ii) There are 20 tiles in Step 4, and 44 tiles in Step 10. (iii) The algebraic expression for the number of tiles in Step is .
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