Look for Patterns in Paper Pool

Analyzing Numeric and Geometric Patterns of Paper Pool
Part Three - Look for Patterns

When you think you can predict the outcomes, write rules that you could use to determine what will happen to the ball as it travels on a table of any size. Your rules should tell you, without drawing the path, the number of hits and the ending corner for the ball.

Reorganizing the data is sometimes a useful technique to see patterns in the data. Sort or regroup the data first by the corner (pocket) where the ball stops and then by the number of hits.

If you are using a spreadsheet tool, frequently, this can be done by sorting columns. Sort the data first by the corner in which the ball lands and then by the number of hits.

If you are working with the data by hand, you may want to create a new table such as the one below. A few entries have been added. Remember to record the dimensions of the pool table in the form bottom edge x side edge.

Results for Paper Pool Tables of Different Sizes

Corner where ball stops.	Total Number of Hits Including Start and Finish
Corner where ball stops.	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11
B		4 x 2
C	4 x 4
D				6 x 4

Examine Your Data

What patterns do you observe in the table? Which of these patterns may be useful in predicting the outcome for a Paper Pool table of any size?

Examine the dimensions for all pool tables where the ball lands in the same corner with the same number of hits. What do you observe?

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