Skills
● Communication:
● Information literacy: find,interpret, judge and create information.
● Critical Thinking: analyze the situation, determine and explain the type of
sequence applies in real life scenarios
● Transfer: use mathematical knowledge and skills in new contexts.
Prelude (15 minutes)
1. Hook with a Real-World Connection:
Start with a brief story or video clip about patterns in nature, such as the arrangement of
leaves, the Fibonacci sequence in flowers, or the spiral of shells.
2.Interactive Questioning:
○ Pose questions to the class to get them thinking:
■ "Have you ever noticed patterns in your daily life? Where do you
see them?"
■ "Can you think of any examples of patterns in sports, music, or
art?"
3. Introduce Number Sequences:(Introduction phase)
○ Explain that just like nature, math is full of patterns. Introduce the concept
of number sequences as a way to identify and describe these patterns.
○ Define the three main types of sequences (arithmetic, geometric, and
Fibonacci) with simple examples:
■ Arithmetic: “If you start at 3 and add 4 each time, what do you
get?”
■ Geometric: “If you start at 2 and multiply by 3 each time, what
happens?”
■ Fibonacci: “Did you know there’s a special sequence where each
number is the sum of the two before it?”
1. Engagement Activity:(Immersion phase)
○ Quick Group Brainstorm: In their groups, have students quickly come up
with examples of each type of sequence they already know or can think of
(e.g., counting numbers for arithmetic, powers of 2 for geometric, etc.).
○ Ask groups to share one example from each category with the class.
Here are some real-life scenarios for arithmetic, geometric, and Fibonacci sequences:
Arithmetic Sequences
1. Savings Plans:
○ A person saves a fixed amount of money each month, such as $50. The
total savings over time forms an arithmetic sequence: $50, $100, $150,
$200, ...
2. Scheduling:
○ If a teacher schedules classes every 30 minutes starting from 8:00 AM,
the times of the classes (8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 9:30, ...) form an arithmetic
sequence.
3. Construction:
○ A contractor builds a series of steps, adding one additional step each day.
The height (in steps) at the end of each day forms an arithmetic sequence.
Geometric Sequences
1. Population Growth:
○ If a population doubles every year, starting with 100 individuals, the
population size can be modeled as a geometric sequence: 100, 200, 400,
800, ...
2. Investment Growth:
○ An investment that earns a fixed percentage interest compounded
annually can be modeled as a geometric sequence. For example, if
$1,000 grows at a rate of 5% per year: $1,000, $1,050, $1,102.50, ...
3. Bacteria Growth:
○ If a culture of bacteria doubles in number every hour, starting with 10
bacteria, the count over time is a geometric sequence: 10, 20, 40, 80, ...
Fibonacci Sequences
1. Nature:
○ The arrangement of leaves around a stem, the branching of trees, and the
pattern of seeds in a sunflower often follow Fibonacci numbers (e.g., 1, 1,
2, 3, 5, 8).
2. Art and Architecture:
○ The Golden Ratio, which is derived from the Fibonacci sequence, is used
in art and architecture for aesthetically pleasing compositions, such as the
Parthenon or works by Leonardo da Vinci.
3. Animal Reproduction:
○ The population growth of certain rabbit species can be modeled using
Fibonacci numbers. If each pair of rabbits produces another pair each
month, starting with one pair, the growth follows the Fibonacci sequence.
These scenarios illustrate how these mathematical sequences are not just abstract
concepts but have practical applications in various fields.
2. Setting Expectations:
○ Explain that they will dive deeper into these sequences in their groups,
exploring and presenting their findings.
○ Highlight that this activity will not only enhance their understanding of
number sequences but also develop teamwork and presentation skills.
. Class Discussion and Reflection
● After plotting the graphs, have a class discussion about what students observed.
Ask questions like:
○ What patterns do you notice in the graphs?
○ How do different sequences behave differently?
○ How can these visual representations help you understand the concepts
better?
By integrating graphs into the exploration of number patterns, students can gain deeper
insights into mathematical concepts, recognize relationships, and develop a stronger
foundation for calculus and beyond.
