Lesson 5: Math is BoundlessMPP.7

I can…

I can create and describe geometric designs using repetition, patterns, and rhythm, and use a pattern unit to predict what comes next.

Key words

• repetition — The same object, shape, or form repeated multiple times.
• pattern — A set of objects or shapes that are repeated and arranged in a regular order.
• pattern unit — The smallest chunk of a pattern that repeats.
• rhythm — A design element created by varying the placement, size, orientation, or order of the same objects or shapes.
• predictability — Being able to know what comes next because the design follows a rule.

Steps

1. A border repeats: pink circle, purple square, blue triangle, pink circle, purple square, blue triangle, ...
2. The pattern unit is 3 shapes long: circle, square, triangle.
3. To predict shape number 12, I divide: 12 ÷ 3 = 4 with no remainder, so shape 12 ends a complete unit — it is the blue triangle.
4. The next three shapes after any complete unit will be a pink circle, a purple square, and a blue triangle.

Try it

Which statement best matches this lesson's summary of 'Math is Boundless'?

Check your answer

Math can be used to create beautiful designs, which often have repetition, patterns, and rhythm

The summary names all three elements — repetition, patterns, and rhythm — as the ways math creates beautiful, endless designs.

Sentence starter

I know ___ because ___.

Goal: I can describe a design using the words repetition, pattern, pattern unit, and rhythm.