We've seen that we can add decimals in a similar way to adding whole numbers. We've also seen how to create and continue patterns with whole numbers. Let's bring these two together now, and work with patterns that use decimals!

Here are some examples of ways patterns can be described.

Complete the pattern by adding 0.3 each time.
$0.4$0.4, ___, ___, ___, ___, ___

or perhaps simply:

Complete the pattern.
$3.6$3.6, $3.3$3.3, $3.1$3.1, ___, ___

Watch the video below to see how we do these!

So to complete a pattern, we need to:

Find the pattern - which will either be given, or which will need to be found by looking at the list of numbers.
Continue the pattern - using the pattern that you found.

Worked Examples

Question 1

Complete the pattern by adding $0.1$0.1 each time.

$0.1$0.1 $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$

Question 2

Consider the following pattern.

What is the pattern?

$0.3$0.3 $0.5$0.5 $0.7$0.7 $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$

The numbers are increasing by $0.02$0.02.
A
The numbers are increasing by $0.2$0.2.
B
The numbers are increasing by $2$2.
C
The numbers are increasing by $20$20.
D
Now complete the pattern.

$0.3$0.3 $0.5$0.5 $0.7$0.7 $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$

Question 3

Consider the following pattern.

What is the pattern?

$1.8$1.8 $1.6$1.6 $1.4$1.4 $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$

The numbers are decreasing by $2$2.
A
The numbers are decreasing by $0.2$0.2.
B
The numbers are decreasing by $0.02$0.02.
C
The numbers are decreasing by $20$20.
D
Now complete the pattern.

$1.8$1.8 $1.6$1.6 $1.4$1.4 $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$

Outcomes

NA3-1

Use a range of additive and simple multiplicative strategies with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages.

NA3-8

Connect members of sequential patterns with their ordinal position and use tables, graphs, and diagrams to find relationships between successive elements of number and spatial patterns.

Decimal patterns with tenths (add/sub)