Question

What strategy would be the best to solve this problem?

To get into shape, Miles ran for 1 minute on Monday, 3 minutes on Tuesday, 6 minutes on Wednesday, and 10 minutes on Thursday. If he continues, how many minutes will Miles run on Sunday?

A. guess, check and revise

B. work backwards

C. use a formula

D. look for patterns

Answer 1

D

Explanation:

Because its D

Answer 2

• D. look for patterns

Explanation:

Number the weekdays, and relevant time, then look for the pattern

• Monday = 1, time = 1 min
• Tuesday = 2, time = 3 min
• Wednesday = 3, time = 6 min
• Thursday = 4, time = 10 min
• Friday = 5, time = x
• Saturday = 6, time = y
• Sunday = 7, time = z

We get the series:

• 1, 3, 6, 10, x, y, z

If you notice, the difference between the terms is:

• 2, 3, 4, ...

It indicates the following terms are:

• x = 10 + 5 = 15
• y = 15 + 6 = 21
• z = 21 + 7 = 28

Since z represents the seventh term, the running time on Sunday is 28 minutes.

As we see looking for patterns helped to solve the question.

Correct choice is D