Question

Solve the following problem: Our class had 4 pumpkins. On Monday, Marta brought more pumpkins. On Tuesday, Beto brought 1 more pumpkin. Then, on Wednesday, Shea brought 1 more pumpkin. 1. How many pumpkins did our class have on Monday? 2. How many pumpkins did our class have on Tuesday? 3. How many pumpkins did our class have on Wednesday? Please draw a picture and write a number sentence to illustrate your thinking. Additionally, what do you notice about what happened each day? Extension: If this pattern continues, how many pumpkins will our class have on Friday?

Answer 1

The class had 4+x pumpkins on Monday, (4+x)+1 on Tuesday, and (4+x)+2 on Wednesday. There is a pattern of adding 1 pumpkin each subsequent day. If this continues, the equation for Friday will be (4+x)+4.

Step-by-step explanation:

To solve the question about how many pumpkins the class had on each day, let's go through the days one by one.

Monday: The class initially had 4 pumpkins, and Marta brought more, but the problem doesn't specify how many, so let's call the number that Marta brought 'x'. Therefore, the class had 4 + x pumpkins.

Tuesday: Beto brought 1 more pumpkin, so we add 1 to the total from Monday. The class now has (4 + x) + 1 pumpkins.

Wednesday: Shea brought 1 more pumpkin, so we add another 1 to the total from Tuesday. The class has (4 + x) + 1 + 1 pumpkins.

Regarding a picture, since the exact number Marta brought is unknown, we can't draw an exact representation. A number sentence for each day would be:

• Monday: 4 + x
• Tuesday: (4 + x) + 1
• Wednesday: (4 + x) + 1 + 1

Noticing the pattern each day, 1 additional pumpkin is being brought. If the pattern continues, on Thursday, one more would be brought, and on Friday again one more will be added.

So the formula for the class's pumpkins on Friday becomes: (4 + x) + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1.