Lesson 15 - Mathematical Language and Notation

The first of the mathematical communication criteria for the investigation is your Mathematical Language and Notation.

There are always \(3\) marks for this criterion.

In order to get all three marks you have to:

1. describe the patterns using correct mathematical terminology

   • try to use increasing and decreasing (instead of goes up or down by), second difference, quadratic, geometric

2. give a fully simplified version of the general rule

   • either in the form \(an+b\), \(an^2+bn+c\) or \(a\times r^{n-1}\), or a factorised form that comes from the images (linked to justify)

3. ensure the correct variables are used for the general rule

   • it needs to be \(P=3n+1\) and not just \(3n+1\). If you do the latter, you get all the marks for criteria D (describing the pattern) but lose one her in criteria N

   • ensure you use the letters that are given in the question

If you find the general rule, then this should be an easy extra 3 marks.

You can still get 2 out of the 3 marks if you get an incorrect general rule, as long as the notation is good as described in point 3 above.