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KeyStage 2 Lower

Describe a pattern (add/sub)

Lesson

If you saw a list of numbers like $7$7, $10$10, $13$13, $16$16, $19$19, you might notice that there is a pattern to the numbers. To get from each number to the next, you need to add $3$3. We say that the numbers are increasing by $3$3, or that you are adding $3$3 each time.

This is what we call a description of a pattern. Watch the video below to learn more about describing patterns!

Now that we've learnt how to describe a pattern, try some questions yourself!

Worked Examples

Example 1

Describe the number pattern below.

  1. Which of the options below best describes the pattern?

    $4$4 $6$6 $8$8 $10$10 $12$12

    The numbers are decreasing by $3$3 units.

    A

    The numbers are decreasing by $2$2 units.

    B

    The numbers are increasing by $2$2 units.

    C

    The numbers are increasing by $1$1 units.

    D

Example 2

Complete the pattern:

  1. $12$12, $26$26, $40$40, $\editable{}$, $\editable{}$, $\editable{}$

  2. What is the rule for finding the missing values?

    Add $28$28.

    A

    Add $14$14.

    B

    Add $15$15.

    C

    Add $13$13.

    D

Example 3

Write the next numbers in the pattern about the number of matches used to make the pattern.

  1. $6$6, $\editable{}$, $\editable{}$, $\editable{}$, $\editable{}$, $\editable{}$

  2. Which of the following best describes the pattern above?

    The numbers are decreasing by $5$5.

    A

    The numbers are increasing by $4$4.

    B

    The numbers are increasing by $5$5.

    C

    The numbers are increasing by $3$3.

    D

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