Number Patterns
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What you will learn
- 1Find the rule in a number pattern
- 2Extend a number pattern by at least two terms
- 3Fill in the missing number in a sequence
Mini Lesson
Numbers love patterns! When numbers follow a rule — adding the same amount each time — we call it a number pattern or sequence.
What is a pattern rule?
- The rule tells you how much to add (or subtract) to get the next number.
- Example: 3, 6, 9, 12 — the rule is +3 (add 3 each time).
- Look at two numbers next to each other: count up from the first to the second to find the rule.
Common patterns you know
- +1: 17, 18, 19, 20 — counting by ones
- +2: 4, 6, 8, 10 — counting by twos (even numbers)
- +5: 15, 20, 25, 30 — skip counting by fives
- +10: 20, 30, 40, 50 — counting by tens
Finding the missing number
- Find the rule first, then apply it to the gap.
- Example: 10, 20, ___, 40 → rule is +10, so missing number is 30.
Words to know
Pattern
Numbers that follow a rule, like adding the same amount each time
e.g. 3, 6, 9, 12 is a pattern.
Rule
How much you add or subtract to get the next number
e.g. The rule for 5, 10, 15 is +5.
Sequence
A list of numbers that go in order
e.g. 2, 4, 6, 8 is a sequence.
Skip count
Counting by jumps of the same size, like by 2s or by 5s
e.g. I skip count by 5: 5, 10, 15, 20.
Ask yourself: "What is the rule? How much is added each time?"
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