Question

How many matchsticks are needed to form the next member in the pattern?

Answer 1

Number of matchsticks needed to form the first member = 6
Number of matchsticks needed to form the second member
= 6 + 5 = 11
Number of matchsticks needed to form the third member
= 6 + 5 + 5 = 11 + 5 = 16
Therefore, number of sticks required for the fourth member
= 16 + 5 = 21

We can also draw the fourth member, seeing the pattern and then count the number of matchsticks needed to form it.

The next member in the pattern will look as shown here.

The number of matchsticks used in forming fourth member = 21.