standard_description: Prove polynomial identities and use them to describe numerical relationships. For example, the polynomial identity (x^(2) + y^(2))^(2) = (x^(2 )– y^(2))^(2) + (2xy)^(2 )can be used to generate Pythagorean triples.
problem_activity: Task
The first three steps of two visual patterns are shown below.
[IMG]
[IMG]
The number of tiles in step $n$ of Pattern D is defined by $d(n)=(n+3)^2$. The number of tiles in step $n$ of Pattern E is defined by $e(n)=(n+1)^2-2$.
For each pattern, decide whether there is a step with 167 tiles in it. If so, which step is it? If not, explain how you know.
For each pattern, decide whether there is a step with 169 tiles in it. If so, which step is it? If not, explain how you know.
Describe and justify the steps for solving the following equation for $x$: $$a(x-h)^2=k$$


aligns: no