By Pranomita Shom
We are often taught various mathematical tricks, usually in primary classes. However, from my experience of grades 4-5, we are just told to list them off instead of getting to know the whys and hows behind it. It is important we understand what we know; this time we are doing so visually.
The adjacent video attached explains how the sum of first n odd numbers is equal to n².
the yellow square represents 1, blue squares represent 3 and the green ones represent 5
In the first scenario, we see n=1 so the sum of the first n (here,1) odd numbers is n², i.e 1².
In the second scenario, we see n=2 so the sum of the first n (here,2) odd numbers is n², i.e 2².
In the third scenario, we see n=3 so the sum of the first n (here,3) odd numbers is n², i.e 3².
Visually, we get to realize that the immediate next odd number is distributed to create the square of n!
Here, you go : you are now one step ahead in the process of understanding what you know!!
