Question

Observe the patterns of digits made from line segments of equal length. You will find such segmented digits on the display of electronic watches or calculators.

(a)

(b)

(c)

If the number of digits formed is taken to be n, the number of segments required to form n digits is given by the algebraic expression appearing on the right of each pattern.

How many segments are required to form 5, 10, 100 digits of the kind −

, , .

Answer 1

(a) It is given that the number of segments required to form n digits of the kind

is (5n + 1).

Number of segments required to form 5 digits = (5 × 5 + 1)

= 25 + 1 = 26

Number of segments required to form 10 digits = (5 × 10 + 1)

= 50 + 1 = 51

Number of segments required to form 100 digits = (5 × 100 + 1)

= 500 + 1 = 501

(b) It is given that the number of segments required to form n digits of the kind is (3n + 1).

Number of segments required to form 5 digits = (3 × 5 + 1)

= 15 + 1 = 16

Number of segments required to form 10 digits = (3 × 10 + 1)

= 30 + 1 = 31

Number of segments required to form 100 digits = (3 × 100 + 1)

= 300 + 1 = 301

(c)It is given that the number of segments required to form n digits of the kind is (5n + 2).

Number of segments required to form 5 digits = (5 × 5 + 2)

= 25 + 2 = 27

Number of segments required to form 10 digits = (5 × 10 + 2)

= 50 + 2 = 52

Number of segments required to form 100 digits = (5 × 100 + 2)

= 500 + 2 = 502