Number patterns

PATTERNS are all around us and occur in a wide range of forms.

In mathematics, a sequence is a string of objects like numbers that follow a particular pattern. Sequences can be created based on arithmetic or geometric shapes.

Working with number patterns leads directly to the concept of functions in mathematics and recognising number patterns is also an important problem-solving skill. Kaprekar’s sequence

In 1949, Indian mathematician D.R. Kaprekar came up with an interesting routine. Applied to any positive four digit number (all the digits should be different), converges to the same number 6174 known as Kaprekar constant.

Follow this procedure

1. Take any four digit number [in base 10], eg 1234.

2. Arrange these digits in descending order, eg 4321

3. Now rearrange the digits in ascending order, eg 1234

4. Subtract the smaller number from bigger to get a new number.

5. Repeat the above procedure for each new number you get. 4321 - 1234 = 3087 8730 - 0378 = 8352 8532 - 2358 = 6174 7641 - 1467 = 6174

TRY THIS

1. Think of a two-digit number whose digits are not identical eg 28

2. Reverse the digits ie 82

3. Take the smaller number from the larger number ie 82 - 28 = 54

4. Using this answer, go to step 2 and repeat the process a number of times

54-45=9/90-09= 81/ 81 - 18 = 63

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