1. 1.1 Patterns and Inductive Reasoning
Goal 1: Finding and Describing Patterns
You will be able to find and describe _____ and ________ patterns.
visual
numerical

2. Can you sketch the next figure in the pattern? 5

3. Can you predict the next number in the pattern?
0, 2, 4, 6, ?
Answer: 8
3, 1, 4, 1, 5,
9, ?
Answer: 2 (These are the digits of pi.)

4. What are some other patterns you see around you?
Think and Discuss
What are some other patterns you see around you?
What are some numerical patterns you use in your daily life?
What are other types of patterns (besides visual and
numerical) you can identify?

5. 1.1 Patterns and Inductive Reasoning
Goal 2: Using Inductive Reasoning
You will learn to use inductive reasoning to predict future elements in a pattern.

6. The sun is going to come up tomorrow.
Definition
Inductive Reasoning is the process of looking for _______ and making __________.
So what’s a conjecture?
A conjecture is an unproven statement that is based on observations, e.g.,
The sun is going to come up tomorrow.
What are some other conjectures you make?
patterns
conjectures

7. 3 Stages of Inductive Reasoning
Look for a Pattern
Look at as many examples as necessary to make a conclusion. Be sure the conjecture fits all the examples you have.
Tables, diagrams, lists, etc. can help you find a pattern.
Make a Conjecture
Share it with others. Make changes as needed.
Verify the Conjecture
Use logical reasoning to verify it is true in all cases. (This is called deductive reasoning, and we’ll learn more about it in Chapter 2.

8. What is the next element in the pattern?

9. Proving a Conjecture is True or False
To prove a conjecture is true, you must prove it is true in all cases.
To prove a conjecture is false, you only need to give one example showing it is false. This example is called a ______________.
counterexample

10. Give a counterexample to the following conjecture:
The difference of two positive numbers is always a positive number.
Sample answer: 4 – 10 = -6.
Remember: You only need one counterexample to prove a conjecture is false. If you want to show a conjecture is true, you must show it is true in every case.
What do you think? Is it easier to prove a conjecture is true or that it is false? Why?

11. Have you proven Goldbach’s conjecture?
Goldbach’s Conjecture: Every even number greater than 2 can be written as the sum of two primes.
Select an even number from 50 to 100 and show that Goldbach’s conjecture is true for that number.
Think and Discuss
Have you proven Goldbach’s conjecture?
No. You’ve shown it is true only for the number you selected.

12. Real-life application
At a grocery store, Carlos bought 2 cans of soda for $1, Tina bought 4 cans for $2, and Pat bought 3 cans for $ Make a conjecture about the price of a can of soda.
Think and Discuss
Why might your conjecture be false?
Can your conjecture be reasonable for the information you
have and still be false?
Can you think of some conjectures which seemed reasonable
at first but were later shown to be false?