M. Pascal et son triangle

Lately in math we have been exploring patterns. There are two kinds of patterns, repetitive et croissante (repeating and increasing). Yesterday we were introduced to M. Blaise Pascal, a mathematician and inventor from the 1600's.

Blaise Pascal 1623-1662

He developed a triangle that is full of patterns.

Pascal's Triangle - rows can continue to be added to the triangle.

We looked at lots of interesting things in the triangle. We noticed all the ones on the outside, we noticed the lines of counting numbers (1, 2, 3, 4...), we noticed that if you cut the triangle in half it is the same on both sides. We also coloured in all the odd numbers to reveal another pattern (Sierpinski's Triangle) and we tried the hockey stick rule.

There is a copy of Pascal's triangle coming home today that you can use to try to find even more interesting patterns! Bonne chance!