Problem Solving:
Look for a Pattern
Lesson 6-5
When solving problems, one strategy
that is helpful is to look for a pattern.
Looking for a pattern is often useful for
solving problems that involve data that
changes in a predictable way.
In some problem situations, you can
extend and examine a pattern in order
to solve the problem.
Example 1
 Monisha has the flu. The doctor gave
her medicine to take over the next 2
weeks. The first 3 days she is to take
2 pills a day. Then the remaining days
she is take 1 pill. How many pills will
Monisha have taken at the end of the
2 weeks?
Start with the first week and look for a
pattern.
 After the first few days the number of pills
increases by 1.
 So, by the end of the first week, Monisha
will have taken 10 pills.
For the second week you can add 7
more pills to her total from the first
week, 10 + 7 = 17.
 So, by the end of the 2 weeks, Monisha will
have taken 17 pills to get over the flu.
 You can extend the table for the next 7 days to
check the answer.
Guided Practice
 Buses arrive every 30 minutes at the bus
stop. The first bus arrives at 6:20 A.M.
Hogan wants to get on the first bus after
8:00 A.M. What time will the bus that
Hogan wants to take arrive at the bus
stop?
bus
time
1st
6:20
2nd
6:50
3rd
7:20
4th
7:50
The first bus to arrive after 8:00 A.M.
comes at 8:20 A.M.
5th
8:20
Guided Practice
 In 2002, Estella earned $200 in allowance,
and Kelsey earned $150 in allowance.
Each year Kelsey earned $20 more in
allowance, and Estella earned $10 more. In
what year will they earn the same amount
of money? How much will it be?
YEAR
Estella
Kelsey
2002
2003
$200 $210
$150 $170
2004
$220
$190
2005
$230
$210
2006
$240
$230
2007
$250
$250
In the year 2007, Estella and Kelsey will both earn $250.