Pattern snake
This pattern repeats every 12 dots. Can you work out what a later piece will be?
Age
11 to 14
Challenge level
Problem
The diagram below shows a pattern which repeats every 12 dots.
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What does the piece between 2007 and 2011 look like?
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If you liked this problem, here is an NRICH task which challenges you to use similar mathematical ideas.
Student Solutions
Answer: E
The first 12 dots - which repeat:
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2007$\div$12 = 167 remainder 3 so 2004 is a multiple of 12 $\therefore$ will be a 12th dot:
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2007 - 2011 section begins with a double line diagonally downwards
$\therefore$ it is E