Growing Dots

Describe the pattern. Assuming the

sequence continues in the same way, how
many dots are there at 3 minutes?
100 minutes?
t minutes?

Beginning

1 min.

2 min.
2

Minutes

# of
Dots

1 + 0

1
2
3
.

1 + 4(1)
1 + 4(2)
1 + 4(3)

table
= 1 dot

+ 4

= 5 dots

+ 4

= 9 dots

+ 4

=13 dots

.
50
100

1 + 4(50)
1 + 4(100)

= 201 dots
= 401 dots

Recursive function constant rate of

change of 4
f(t) = 4t + 1
3

Squares and Minutes

+ 4

O min.

+ 4

t + 1

1 min.

1 dot

1 + t4
1 + (1)4
Squares are related to number of minutes
One group of 4 dots is added each minute
After 1 minute, there is 1 dot plus 1x4.
4

Groups

t = minutes

+ 4
+ 4
O min.
t + 1

1 min.
1 + 4

1
represents
the start
(constant)

5 dots

2 min.
1 + 4 + 4 Each minute
1 + 2(4)

adds 4

(rate of change)

1 + t(4)
Related to number of minutes
One group of 4 dots is added each minute.
Could be 1st stage, 2nd state, 3rd stage..

1 + 100(4) = 401

at 100 minutes
5

Arms Another
Solution
0 minutes
1 dot

Arms
t = minutes

0 minutes

The number of dots in

each arm correspond to
the number of minutes
that have passed..

1 minute

4 arms

1 dot

1 minute

No arms

t4 + 1
1(4) + 1 = 5 dots
7

Arms
1 minute
1(4) + 1 = 5

0
minutes

The number of dots in

each arm correspond to
the number of minutes.

1 minute

1 dot

m
r
a

t4+1or

2 minutes

2(4) + 1= 9 dots
4(t) + 1
8

Arms
1 minute
4(1) + 1 = 5

0
minutes
1 dot

4 arms
Length of arm times 4

Minutes correspond
to the number of
dots in each arm.

1
1 minute

s
m
ar

4t + 1 or
t (4) + 1

2 minutes

4(2) + 1= 9 dots
9

Homework
Create a linear function for the dots.
Take the same pattern and arrange the
dots differently.

10

Arms
1 minute
4(1) + 1 = 5

0
minutes
1 dot

50

50

1 minute

1
50
4

m
ar

4t + 1 or
t (4) + 1

50

4 arms
Length of arm times 4

Minutes correspond
to the number of
dots in each arm.

50 minutes

4(50) + 1= 201 dots

11

Use the Same Growth Pattern

and Rearrange the Dots
t = minutes
0 minutes
Growth rate is 4
dots per minute

12

Symmetry
t = minutes

0 minutes
1 + 0 = 1 dot

1 minute

1 + 2t(2)
1 + 2(1)(2)

Pattern is
symmetric
Double one side

1 + 4 = 5 dots
13

Symmetry
t = minutes

1 minute

0 minutes
1 + 0 = 1 dot

1 + 2t(2)

1 + 2(1)(2)
1 + 4 = 5 dots

1 + 2t(2)
2 minutes
1 + 2(2)2= 9 dots
14

t = minutes

1 minute

2 minutes

O minutes

0 minutes

1 + 2t(2) = 5 dots

1 + 0 = 1
dot

1 + 2t(2) = 9 dots

3 minutes
1 + 2t(2)
1 + 2(3)(2)= 12 dots
15

Assuming the sequence grows in the

same way, determine how many
minutes will have passed when
there are 25 dots? 73 dots?

Start

1 min.

2 min.
16

From Total Dots to Time

Effective algebraic thinking sometimes
requires students to undo a
mathematical process. This helps build
understanding as well as the ability to
perform a procedure. (Driscoll)

17

Growing Dots 1
Graphing

18

28
24

20

16

12

y= 4x + 1
Y-intercept

slope

13

17

21

25

0
1

f(x)

Time in Minutes
19

4
4