n Learning and Teaching Mathematics - Even oddness & odd evenness in figural pattern generalisation activities

Abstract

The investigation of pictorial patterns has become a standard pedagogical practice in mathematics classrooms around the world. Such pictorial patterns are often used as an entry point to basic algebra and the concept of generalisation, but they can also be used to provide a meaningful visual/practical context for exploring algebraically equivalent expressions of generality. Typical pictorial patterns generally make use of either matchsticks or dots. A typical pictorial context is shown below.