Linear patterns

5, 8, 11, 14, 17

Starts at 2 and increases by 3.

50, 40, 30, 20 ,10

Starts at 50 and decreased by 10.

When we have a linear number pattern we can use the information given to create an equation. In the example format of: y=3x+2.

Examples

5, 8, 11, 14, 17

In this example, the equation is y=3x +2. You can create a T-Chart to help you find the equation. We can see that 3 times x equals 3, and plus 2 equals 5. This works with all of the numbers in the pattern as well. 2 x 3 = 6 —> 6+2=8, and so on.

50, 40, 30, 20, 10

In this example, the equation is y= -10x+60. We can see that -10 times x equals -10 and plus 60 equals 50. This equation works to get the rest of the numbers as well.

Why?

It is important to know how to collect information from a linear pattern and be able to create an equation with it because in math you need to understand how the equations work with x and y to easily work with linear relations, t-charts, and graphs.

Vocabulary 

Linear pattern- A pattern that forms a straight line. A linear number pattern is a sequence of numbers where the difference between every term is the same.