This document discusses how geometric figures can be used to model numerical patterns. It provides an example of a fencing company that uses planks of wood to create fence sections. The number of planks used increases linearly based on the number of sections. A table shows that 1 section uses 4 planks, 2 sections uses 7 planks, and 3 sections uses 10 planks. This pattern is represented geometrically using toothpicks to model the fence sections. The document asks how many planks would be needed for 5 sections based on the linear pattern.

1. HOW can geometric
figures be used to model
numerical patterns?
Course 2, Inquiry Lab after Lesson 5-2
Expressions and Equations

2. Preparation for
• 7.EE.2
Understand that rewriting an expression in different forms in a problem
context can shed light on the problem and how the quantities in it are
related.
Mathematical Practices
1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
3 Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
Course 2, Inquiry Lab after Lesson 5-2 Common Core State Standards © Copyright 2010. National Governors Association Center for Best
Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved.
Expressions and Equations

3. Course 2, Inquiry Lab after Lesson 5-2
Activity
Continued

Expressions and Equations
A fencing company uses 4 planks of wood for one section of fencing, 7 planks
for two section, and 10 planks of wood for three sections. The fence sections
are represented using the toothpicks shown. Determine how many planks
would be used to create 5 sections of fencing.
Find a pattern in the table.
Then fill in the number of
planks that would be in 4
and 5 sections of fencing.

4. Course 2, Inquiry Lab after Lesson 5-2
Expressions and Equations
A fencing company uses 4 planks of wood for one section of fencing, 7 planks
for two section, and 10 planks of wood for three sections. The fence sections
are represented using the toothpicks shown. Determine how many planks
would be used to create 5 sections of fencing.
Check your work by using toothpicks to show 5 fence
sections. Draw the result in the space below.
So, there will be planks in 5 section of fencing.

5. Course 2, Inquiry Lab after Lesson 5-2
HOW can geometric
figures be used to model
numerical patterns?
Expressions and Equations