# What is geometric verification?

I just started to read "Friendly Introduction to Number Theory". Now I'm trying exercises 1-2

1.2. Try adding up the first few odd numbers and see if the numbers you get satisfy some sort of pattern. Once you find the pattern, express it as a formula. Give a geometric verification that your formula is correct.

https://www.math.brown.edu/~jhs/frintch1ch6.pdf

I think the pattern is Σ[n=0..n](2*n + 1)

But what is geometric verification? How should I answer this question?

• That's not the pattern they're looking for. Do you see the pattern in the numbers $1,4,9,16,25,36$... – Matt Samuel Oct 14 '18 at 5:12
• @MattSamuel Hello! I can see this pattern. 1=(1^2),4=(2^2),9=(3^2),16=(4^2),25=(5^2),36=(6^2). Is that the answer they are looking for? – zono Oct 14 '18 at 5:17
• Yes, except I have no idea what they mean by geometric verification. Presumably this is covered in the chapter, which I did not myself read. – Matt Samuel Oct 14 '18 at 5:18
• Thank you for your answer. I understand it. – zono Oct 14 '18 at 5:20
• You're welcome. I'd post an actual answer, but it's 1:22 am so I think I can sacrifice the rep for sleep. – Matt Samuel Oct 14 '18 at 5:22

For one odd you get $$1$$ which is presented by a red square.
For tow odds you get $$1+3$$ which is presented by one red square and three yellow square and together they make a $$2\times 2$$ square.