Square Pattern Sequence: Finding the 55-Square Structure Position

Perfect Square Patterns with Non-Perfect Numbers

The following is a series of structures formed by squares with side lengths of 1 cm.

Is it possible to have a structure in the series that has 55 squares? If so, what element of the series is it?

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:07 Let's find out if there's a term with 55 squares, and where it would be.
00:12 First, we count the squares in each term.
00:19 Notice, the number of squares equals the position number squared.
00:32 So, our formula is: term's position squared.
00:40 Now, let's see if any position gives us 55 squares.
00:45 Substitute 55 into the formula, and solve for N.
00:50 Take the square root of 55 to find N.
00:53 The result isn't a whole number, so there's no exact term.
00:58 A term's position must be a whole number in this sequence.
01:02 And that's how we solve this problem.

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

The following is a series of structures formed by squares with side lengths of 1 cm.

Is it possible to have a structure in the series that has 55 squares? If so, what element of the series is it?

2

Step-by-step solution

To determine whether a structure with 55 squares exists in the sequence, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Determine the pattern or sequence rule from the given sequence of structures.
  • Step 2: Develop a formula for the nth term of the sequence.
  • Step 3: Check if there's an n n such that an=55 a_n = 55 .

Let's work through each step:

Step 1: Analyze the given structures. The observed structure from the problem graphic suggests a pattern in the number of squares. For instance, visualize a small series increasing as follows:
- First structure: 1 1 square (1x1)
- Second structure: 1+3=4 1 + 3 = 4 squares (2x2)
- Third structure: 4+5=9 4 + 5 = 9 squares (3x3)
- Fourth structure: 9+7=16 9 + 7 = 16 squares (4x4), and so forth.

Step 2: Recognize the sequence is quadratic in nature (perfect square numbers). The general term structure is the nth square, meaning an=n2 a_n = n^2 . Let's verify the sequence progresses by square numbers.

Step 3: Set n2=55 n^2 = 55 and solve for n n . Solving n2=55 n^2 = 55 to check if 55 55 is a perfect square:

n=557.416 n = \sqrt{55} \approx 7.416 .

Since n n should be an integer and 55 isn't a perfect square, 55 55 is not a term in this sequence.

Thus, there's no element in the series possessing exactly 55 squares. The final conclusion follows accordingly based on the sequence rule verification.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is No, as there’s no such element that has exactly 55 squares in the series.

3

Final Answer

No

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Pattern Recognition: Each structure has n² squares forming n×n grids
  • Testing Method: Set n² = 55, find √55 ≈ 7.416 (not integer)
  • Verification: Check perfect squares: 7² = 49, 8² = 64, so 55 impossible ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Assuming 55 fits between consecutive terms
    Don't think 55 must exist because it's between 7² = 49 and 8² = 64! Perfect square sequences only contain values where n is a whole number. Always check if the target number equals n² for some integer n.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Is there a term-to-term rule for the sequence below?

18 , 22 , 26 , 30

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

How can I tell if a number is a perfect square quickly?

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Take the square root! If you get a whole number, it's a perfect square. For example: √49 = 7 (perfect square), but √55 ≈ 7.416 (not perfect).

Why can't there be a structure with 55 squares?

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Because this sequence follows the pattern n2 n^2 where n must be a positive integer. Since √55 isn't a whole number, 55 cannot appear in the sequence.

What if the pattern was different, like n² + 1?

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Great thinking! If the pattern were n2+1 n^2 + 1 , then 55 would equal n2+1 n^2 + 1 , so n2=54 n^2 = 54 . Since √54 ≈ 7.35, it still wouldn't work.

How do I identify the pattern from the diagram?

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Look at the grid structure! Count squares in each figure: 1×1 has 1 square, 2×2 has 4 squares, 3×3 has 9 squares. The pattern is always perfect squares.

What's the closest structure to 55 squares?

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The 7th structure has 72=49 7^2 = 49 squares, and the 8th has 82=64 8^2 = 64 squares. So 55 falls between the 7th and 8th structures but doesn't exist in the sequence.

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