#6: The Mathematical Secrets of Pascal’s Triangle

Pascal’s Triangle, named after Blaise Pascal, a famous French Mathematician and Philosopher, is more than a triangular shape of numbers.  The patterns found within the triangle are FASCINATING! Investigate some of the treasures found within the triangle in this math mini spark.

1

1     1

1     2     1

1     3     3     1

1     4     6     4     1

1     5     10     10     5     1

Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #6: The Mathematical Secrets of Pascal’s Triangle

2. Watch this video about Pascal’s Triangle. On your recording page answer these questions: Describe a pattern you notice within the triangle. What numbers would be in the next row?

 

3. At 1:20 in the video, the Triangular Numbers are highlighted.  The picture below shows the first 5 triangular numbers.  Draw the next 2 triangular numbers on your recording page.

Screen Shot 2015-10-07 at 7.19.52 PM4. At 1:58 in the video, the Pentagonal Numbers are highlighted.  The picture below shows the first 5 pentagonal numbers.  Draw the next 2 pentagonal numbers on your recording page.

Screen Shot 2015-10-07 at 7.24.02 PM

5. Do some more research on Pascal’s Triangle at Math is Fun. Don’t feel like you have to explain everything about the triangle, just pick a couple patterns to highlight on your recording page.

6. This TED Ed Video takes the explanation of Pascal’s Triangle to a higher level, but it’s worth a watch to discover even more patterns within the triangle. Record 5 details from the video on your recording sheet.

7. Share your math mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

14 thoughts on “#6: The Mathematical Secrets of Pascal’s Triangle

  1. I see now you do ones on the outside and then 12345678910 on the first inside. Then just add in triangles until you get on the tenth row 1 10 45 120 210 252 210 120 45 10 1

  2. DON’T READ THIS IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE TENTH ROW IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Row 10 is: 1, 10, 45, 120, 210, 252, 210, 45, 10, 1

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