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KeyStage 2 Upper

Problems with patterns with rational numbers

Lesson

In Looking for Patterns, we discovered that if a sequence of numbers increase or decrease by a regular amount, we can describe this as a number pattern. So far, we've only looked at numbers that increase or decrease by a whole number. Now we are going to build on that knowledge and find patterns with fractions and decimals as well.

Let's start by watching a video.

 

Summary

  1. Decide whether the numbers are increasing or decreasing.
  2. Work out how much they are increasing/ decreasing by each time.
  3. Now you can write a rule to describe the pattern and to find the next number in the pattern (e.g. "Add $0.7$0.7 each time," or "Subtract $\frac{1}{3}$13 each time.")
  4. Use the rule you found to work out the next number in the pattern.

Worked Examples

Question 1

Complete the pattern.

  1. $\frac{1}{10}$110 $\frac{2}{10}$210 $\frac{3}{10}$310 $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$

 

Question 2

Complete the pattern.

  1. $4.2$4.2 $4.0$4.0 $3.8$3.8 $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$

 

Question 3

Complete the pattern.

  1. $\frac{1}{10}$110 $\frac{2}{10}$210 $\frac{3}{10}$310 $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$
  2. What is the rule for finding the next number in the pattern?

    Subtract $\frac{1}{10}$110

    A

    Add $1$1

    B

    Add $\frac{1}{10}$110

    C

    Subtract $1$1

    D

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