Difference of two squares

1. In the table below, we have selected numbers which are multiples of

3. Take the previous integer and the next integer, and find the
difference between their squares. Complete the table.

Starting Next Previous Square Square Differen

number integer Integer of of next ce of
previou integer squares
s
integer
3
6
9
12
15
18
21

2. What do you notice? Is there a general rule?

3. Verify your rule by trying some numbers of your choice.

4. Justify why your rule works every time

 5. Is there a similar rule for multiples of any number k? Investigate by
looking at numbers in other multiplication tables, and describe your
rule.

6. Justify the rule you found in Part 5.

Level Criterion B Investigating patterns

You do not reach a standard described by
0
any of the descriptors given below.
For the following levels, the student is
able to:
1 Student discovers with teacher support
most of the patterns in Parts 1,2,5 and
2 states findings consistent with his/her
patterns.
3 Student discovers most of the patterns in
Tasks 1,2,5 on their own. Student gives
4 general rules consistent with findings on
these tasks.
5 Student finds the patterns on all tasks &
describes them using general rules.
Student is able to verify the rules using
6 examples. Student attempts to justify
the rules.
Student justifies findings by providing
7
algebraic proof for his/her rules.