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Mathematics · 2026 · 4 marks
CBSE 2026 · Region 4 · Set 2 · Q36
'Kolam' is a decorative art which is made with rice flour in South Indian States. It is drawn on grid pattern of dots. One such art work is shown below.
Observe the given figure carefully. There are $\displaystyle 4$ dots in first square, $\displaystyle 8$ dots in second square, $\displaystyle 12$ dots in third square and so on. Based on the above, answer the following questions :(i)Show that number of dots given above form an A.P. Write the first term and common difference.(ii)Write $\displaystyle \mathrm{n}^{\text {th }}$ term of the A.P. formed.(a)The pattern is expanded on a large ground. If total $\displaystyle 220$ dots are used, then find the number of squares formed.(b)Is it possible to complete n number of squares using $\displaystyle 100$ dots ? If yes, then find the value of n.
'Kolam' is a decorative art which is made with rice flour in South Indian States. It is drawn on grid pattern of dots. One such art work is shown below.
Observe the given figure carefully. There are $\displaystyle 4$ dots in first square, $\displaystyle 8$ dots in second square, $\displaystyle 12$ dots in third square and so on. Based on the above, answer the following questions :
(i)
Show that number of dots given above form an A.P. Write the first term and common difference.
(ii)
Write $\displaystyle \mathrm{n}^{\text {th }}$ term of the A.P. formed.
(a)
The pattern is expanded on a large ground. If total $\displaystyle 220$ dots are used, then find the number of squares formed.
(b)
Is it possible to complete n number of squares using $\displaystyle 100$ dots ? If yes, then find the value of n.
Marking-scheme solution
(i)
Number of dots formed in each square are $\displaystyle 4,8,12, \ldots$
\[\because 12-8=8-4=4
\]
∴ Numbers of dots form an A.P.
Here, $\displaystyle \mathrm{a}=4, \mathrm{~d}=4$
(ii)
$\displaystyle a_{n}=4+(n-1) 4=4 n$
(a)
Here, $\displaystyle \mathrm{a}=4, \mathrm{~d}=4, \mathrm{~S}_{\mathrm{n}}=220$
\[\begin{array}{l}
\therefore 220=\frac{\mathrm{n}}{2}(2 \times 4+(\mathrm{n}-1) 4) \\
\Rightarrow(\mathrm{n}+1) \mathrm{n}=110 \\
\Rightarrow \mathrm{n}^{2}+\mathrm{n}-110=0 \\
\Rightarrow(\mathrm{n}+11)(\mathrm{n}-10)=0 \\
\Rightarrow \mathrm{n}=-11,10 \\
\mathrm{n} \neq-11
\end{array}
\]
\[\Rightarrow \mathrm{n}=10
\]
∴ The number of squares formed $\displaystyle =10$
Here $\displaystyle \mathrm{S}_{\mathrm{n}}=100, \mathrm{a}=4, \mathrm{~d}=4$
\[\begin{array}{l}
\therefore 100=\frac{\mathrm{n}}{2}(2 \times 4+(\mathrm{n}-1) 4) \\
\Rightarrow 100=\frac{4 n}{2}(\mathrm{n}+1) \\
\Rightarrow \mathrm{n}(\mathrm{n}+1)=50 \\
\Rightarrow \mathrm{n}^{2}+\mathrm{n}-50=0 \\
\Rightarrow \mathrm{n}=\frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{1+200}}{2}=\frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{201}}{2}
\end{array}
\]
∵ n is not a natural number.
∴ It is not possible to draw complete squares using $\displaystyle 100$ dots.
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CBSE Class 10 Mathematics past-paper question from the 2026board exam, with the answer as CBSE’s own marking scheme gives it. Where our answers come from.