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GCSE Maths Number Types Of Numbers

Triangular Numbers

Triangular Numbers

Here we will learn about triangular numbers, including how to find the next triangular number in a sequence (including picture sequences). We will also learn how to find triangular numbers and determine whether a number is a triangular number using the nth term.

There are also triangular numbers worksheets based on Edexcel, AQA and OCR exam questions, along with further guidance on where to go next if you’re still stuck.

What are triangular numbers?

Triangular numbers are numbers that can be represented as a triangle. The numbers form a sequence known as the triangular numbers.

The first triangular number T_{1}=1 .

The second triangular number is found by adding 2 to the previous one.

So, T_{2}=1+2=3.

The third triangular number is found by adding 3 to the previous one.

So, T_{3}=3+3=6.

Continuing this pattern, you get,

Triangular numbers image 1

This produces the sequence of triangular numbers,

1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 21, 28, 36, 45, 55, 66, 78, 91, 105, 120, ...

To determine the next triangular number in a numerical sequence, when given the sequence, we need to find the difference between the previous two terms and add one more than this value.

Visual representation

Triangular numbers can be represented using equilateral triangles. The number of dots within each triangle determines the value of the term. Each new row of dots in the triangle contains one more dot than the row above, creating a triangular pattern.

Triangular numbers image 2

Triangular numbers are natural numbers. Carl Gauss and Pierre de Fermat are known for their work with number theory.

Triangular numbers were originally explored by the Pythagoreans who developed many relationships between different geometric shapes and numbers including triangular numbers, square numbers, pentagonal numbers (numbers represented within a regular pentagon) and hexagonal numbers (numbers represented within a regular hexagon).

These are sometimes known as polygonal numbers or figurate numbers. 

To determine the next triangular number in a pictorial sequence, we add another row to the triangle that contains one more element than the previous row.

What are triangular numbers?

What are triangular numbers?

Nth term of the sequence of triangular numbers

The triangular numbers form a type of quadratic sequence. The nth term of the sequence is,

T_{n}=\frac{1}{2}n(n+1).

To calculate a term within the sequence of triangular numbers, we substitute the position of the term into the nth term (this would be the value of n ) and calculate the resulting value.

For example,

To find the 5th triangular number, n=5, so 

T_{5}=\frac{1}{2} \times 5 \times(5+1)=15.

Pascal’s triangle

Pascal’s triangle shows the binomial coefficients of a binomial expansion (x+y)^{n} where the value in the row below is the sum of the two values above it. 

Triangular numbers image 3

The triangular numbers appear in Pascal’s triangle next to the natural numbers. This means that if we add these two values together, we will obtain the next triangular number below it.

Triangular numbers image 4

Did you know: given two consecutive triangular numbers, the sum of triangular numbers is a square number!

How to use triangular numbers

In order to calculate a triangular number, given a sequence:

  1. Calculate the difference between two consecutive terms.
  2. Add one more than this value to determine the next term.
  3. Continue until you reach the required term in the sequence.

Explain how to use triangular numbers

Explain how to use triangular numbers

Triangular numbers worksheet

Triangular numbers worksheet

Triangular numbers worksheet

Get your free triangular numbers worksheet of 20+ questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions.

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Triangular numbers worksheet

Triangular numbers worksheet

Triangular numbers worksheet

Get your free triangular numbers worksheet of 20+ questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions.

DOWNLOAD FREE

Triangular numbers examples

Example 1: triangular numbers picture sequence

Draw the next picture in the sequence, T_{4}.

Triangular numbers example 1 image 1

  1. Calculate the difference between two consecutive terms.

Term 2 contains 3 squares.

Term 3 contains 6 squares.

6-3=3.

2Add one more than this value to determine the next term.

Adding one to the previous difference means that the next term will have another row added below containing 3+1=4 squares.

3Continue until you reach the required term in the sequence.

As we want to calculate the next term, we can now draw the picture.

Triangular numbers example 1 image 2

Example 2: triangular number sequence

The first four triangular numbers are 1, 3, 6, and 10. Is 21 a triangular number?

Calculate the difference between two consecutive terms.

Add one more than this value to determine the next term.

Continue until you reach the required term in the sequence.

Example 3: triangular numbers – find the position

The first four triangular numbers are 1, 3, 6, and 10. What position in the sequence is the triangular number 45?

Calculate the difference between two consecutive terms.

Add one more than this value to determine the next term.

Continue until you reach the required term in the sequence.

How to calculate triangular numbers, using the nth term

In order to calculate a triangular number, using the nth term:

  1. Substitute the position of the term ( \bf{n} ) into the \bf{nth} term.
    \quad \;\, T_{n}=\frac{1}{2}n(n+1)
  2. Complete the calculation.

Explain how to calculate triangular numbers, using the nth term

Explain how to calculate triangular numbers, using the nth term

Example 4: finding a small value using the nth term

Calculate the 10th triangular number.

Substitute the position of the term ( \bf{n} ) into the \bf{nth} term.

Complete the calculation.

Example 5: triangular numbers – large value using the nth term

Calculate the 50th triangular number.

Substitute the position of the term ( \bf{n} ) into the \bf{nth} term.

Complete the calculation.

How to work out if a number is a triangular number

In order to determine whether a number is a triangular number, using the nth term:

  1. Form an equation where the nth term is equal to the value given.
    \quad \;\; \frac{1}{2}n(n+1)= \text{given value}
  2. Multiply both sides by \bf{2} .
  3. Expand the brackets.
  4. Rearrange the equation to get a quadratic in the form ax^{2}+bx+c=0 .
  5. Solve the quadratic using the quadratic formula.
  6. Write the solution.

Explain how to work out if a number is a triangular number

Explain how to work out if a number is a triangular number

Example 6: triangular numbers using the nth term

Is 120 a triangular number?

Form an equation where the nth term is equal to the value given.

Multiply both sides by \bf{2} .

Expand the brackets.

Rearrange the equation to get a quadratic in the form ax^{2}+bx+c=0 .

Solve the quadratic using the quadratic formula.

Write the solution.

Common misconceptions

  • The sequence is a linear sequence

The difference between two terms is considered to be common and so the next term is found by adding the difference from the previous two terms, not one more than the difference of the previous two terms.

  • Confusing the position and the value of the term

The position of the term is the value of n. The value of the term is what the nth term is equal to, given the position n. This is the difference between substituting n into the nth term, or calculating the value of n using the nth term. (See examples 5 and 6).

Practice triangular number questions

1. Below is a pattern sequence.

 

Triangular numbers practice question 1 image 1

 

Which picture shows the correct pattern for the term T_{5}?

Triangular numbers practice question 1 image 2

GCSE Quiz False

Triangular numbers practice question 1 image 3

GCSE Quiz False

Triangular numbers practice question 1 image 4

GCSE Quiz True

Triangular numbers practice question 1 image 5

GCSE Quiz False

The number of ovals increases by 1 for every new row above the triangle. The new row will contain 5 ovals, above the image for T_{4}.

 

Triangular numbers practice question 1 explanation

2. What type of number is 28?

Square Number

GCSE Quiz False

Decimal Number

GCSE Quiz False

Cube Number

GCSE Quiz False

Triangular Number

GCSE Quiz True

The sequence of triangular numbers is

1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 21, 28, …

 

So, 28 is a triangular number.

3. What is the position of the term 36 in the sequence of triangular numbers?

9th term

GCSE Quiz False

8th term

GCSE Quiz True

36th term

GCSE Quiz False

6th term

GCSE Quiz False

The sequence of triangular numbers is

1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 21, 28, 36, …

 

The position of the value 36 is the 8th term.

4. What is the value of the 12th triangular number?

78
GCSE Quiz True

72
GCSE Quiz False

144
GCSE Quiz False

66
GCSE Quiz False

Substituting n=12 into the nth term for the triangular numbers sequence, we have

T_{12}=\frac{1}{2}\times{12}\times{13}=78 .

5. What is the value of the 28th triangular number?

392
GCSE Quiz False

784
GCSE Quiz False

378
GCSE Quiz False

406
GCSE Quiz True

Substituting n=28 into the nth term for the triangular numbers sequence, we have

T_{28}=\frac{1}{2}\times{28}\times{29}=406 .

6. Which method correctly shows that 55 is a triangular number.

Triangular numbers practice question 6 image 1

GCSE Quiz False

Triangular numbers practice question 6 image 2

GCSE Quiz True

Triangular numbers practice question 6 image 3

GCSE Quiz False

Triangular numbers practice question 6 image 4

GCSE Quiz False

Forming an equation using the nth term of the sequence of triangular numbers, we have

 

\frac{1}{2}n(n+1)=55 .

 

Multiplying both sides of the equation by 2, we have

n(n+1)=110.

Rearranging the equation to form a quadratic of the form

ax^{2}+bx+c=0 we have

n^{2}+n-110=0 .

As we can factorise 110, we do not need to use the quadratic formula. We just need to be able to solve the quadratic equation we have formed.
(n-10)(n+11)=0

The two possible solutions are

n=10\text{ or }n=-11 .

The position in a sequence must be a positive integer, so n=10.

Therefore, 55 is the 10th triangular number.

Triangular numbers GCSE questions

1. (a) The diagram below shows the number of handshakes made between an increasing number of guests at a party.

 

Triangular numbers gcse question 1 image 1

 

Everyone shakes hands with all of the other guests.

Draw the next pattern in the sequence.

 

(b) How many handshakes are given between 6 people?

 

(4 marks)

Show answer

(a)

 

Triangular numbers gcse question 1 image 2

(1)

Triangular numbers gcse question 1 image 3

(1)

 

(b)

 

0, 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 21, …

(1)

15 handshakes

(1)

2. (a) Which of the following is the nth term of the sequence of triangular numbers?

 

\begin{aligned} &2n^{2}+n \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \frac{n}{2}(n+1) \\\\ &\frac{1}{2}(n+1) \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad n^{2}+ \frac{n}{2} \end{aligned}

 

(b) Show that the nth term of the sequence 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, … is \ \frac{1}{2}n(n+1).

 

(5 marks)

Show answer

(a)

 
\frac{n}{2}(n+1)

(1)

 

(b)

 

Second difference =1 and so a=\frac{1}{2}.

(1)

\frac{1}{2}n^{2}=0.5, \ 2, \ 4.5, \ 8, \ 12.5, …

(1)

\frac{1}{2}n=0.5, \ 1, \ 1.5, \ 2, \ 2.5, …

(1)

\frac{1}{2}(n^{2}+n)=\frac{1}{2}n(n+1)

(1)

3. Show that the sum of any two consecutive triangular numbers is a square number.

 

(5 marks)

Show answer

\frac{n}{2}(n+1) \ or \ \frac{n+1}{2}(n+2)

(1)

\frac{n}{2}(n+1) \ and \ \frac{n+1}{2}(n+2)

(1)

\frac{n}{2}(n+1)+\frac{n+1}{2}(n+2)=\frac{n^{2}+n}{2}+\frac{n^{2}+3n+2}{2}

(1)

=\frac{2n^{2}+4n+2}{2}=n^{2}+2n+1

(1)

=(n+1)^2

(1)

Learning checklist

You have now learned how to:

  • Recognise and use sequences of triangular numbers
  • Use the nth term of a triangular numbers sequence to solve problems

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