Hi and welcome to the Forum!
What OS is your iPad on? Have a look in Settings - General - About and look for Version, we are currently on 5.1.1. Apps also get updated when the iPad does and if you haven't updated your iPad some apps will not update for this reason.
Another reason could be if you have recently downloaded anything from the iTunes app? If you have, have a look in iTunes to see if anything is still pending. If there is just swipe it to bring up the Delete tab and delete and your apps should now download.
If not either of the above give your iPad a reset. A reset in this instance will not change anything on your iPad and is akin to rebooting a pc.
Reset - Hold the power off button and the home button simultaneously, keep holding them in and you will see the power off slide appear and disappear, wait until you see the Apple logo appear before releasing the buttons. It will take a little longer for your iPad to start. Let us know how you go.
The IPad Forum is a community of members from all walks of life and from all over the world coming together to share our experiences and to help each other learn about this wonderful piece of technology the Ipad. There is a wealth of information already here in the many threads we have so doing some searches will answer most of the questions you have. If then you cannot find the answer you are seeking then by all means post your question. There are many friendly and informed members here only too willing to help you.
We also have our own App - It is a very simple app to navigate.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/discussion-forum-for-ipad/id412896524?mt=8
Reading the IPad manual is a great place to start so please download a copy of these.
http://www.support.apple.com/manuals/ipad/
3 very informative threads from which you will learn many tips and shortcuts for the IPad.
http://www.ipadforums.net/ipad-general-discussions/21590-tips-tricks-those-us-who-dont-know.html
http://www.ipadforums.net/ipad-os/49581-ios5-tips-tricks.html
http://www.ipadforums.net/ipad-help...shortcuts-helpful-places-people-new-ipad.html
We have rules like any Community so please read these also
http://www.ipadforums.net/forum-rul...um-rules-everybody-please-read.html#post14697
Once again we welcome you here and are so pleased you have joined us!