Question

One block is needed to make an up-down-up staircase with one step up and one step down.

Four blocks are need to build and up-down-up staircase with 2 steps up and 2 steps down.
Complete parts (a) and (b) below.
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a. How many blocks are needed to build an up-down-up staircase with 5 steps up and 5 steps down?
25 blocks are needed to build an up-down-up staircase with 5 steps up and 5 steps down.
(Type a whole number.)
b. How many blocks are needed to build an up-down-up staircase with n steps up and n steps down?
blocks are needed to build an up-down-up staircase with n steps up and n steps down.

Answer 1

n² blocks are needed to build a staircase with n steps.

Explanation: