Basic Incrementing Squared Number-Star Pattern

Understanding the Problem

The goal is to print a squared number-star pattern where numbers increment from left to right, separated by '*'.

Pattern Explanation

The pattern follows a grid structure where numbers increase sequentially row-wise.

1*2*3*4
5*6*7*8
9*10*11*12
13*14*15*16
            

Observations:

• The pattern consists of 4 rows and 4 columns.
• Numbers increment from left to right.
• Each number is followed by a '*', except the last number in each row.

Algorithm

The pattern follows these steps:

1. Initialize a number counter starting from 1.
2. Loop through rows (from 1 to N).
3. Within each row, loop through columns.
4. Print the number followed by '*' except for the last number in the row.
5. Increment the number after each print.
6. Move to the next line after each row.

Method 1: Using Nested Loops

This method uses two loops to print the pattern.

#include <stdio.h>

void printPattern(int n) {
    int num = 1;
    for (int i = 1; i <= n; i++) {
        for (int j = 1; j <= n; j++) {
            printf("%d", num++);
            if (j < n) printf("*");
        }
        printf("\n");
    }
}

int main() {
    int size = 4;
    printPattern(size);
    return 0;
}
            

Output:

1*2*3*4
5*6*7*8
9*10*11*12
13*14*15*16