Problems with patterns with whole numbers
If numbers increase or decrease by a regular amount, we can describe this as a number pattern.
Increasing Number Patterns
If numbers rise by a regular amount, we can describe these as increasing number patterns. We could use addition or multiplication to make numbers get bigger.
Counting up by twos is an example of an addition pattern because each number is $2$2 bigger than the last.
This is an increasing sequence, where we add $2$2 at every step
We can describe these numbers as following a rule. In this case, the rule could be describes as, "Add $2$2 each time."
Decreasing Number Patterns
If numbers reduce by a regular amount, we can describe these as decreasing number patterns. We could use subtraction or division to make numbers get smaller.
This is a decreasing sequence, where we subtract $3$3 at every step
Worked Examples
Question 1
Question 2
The numbers in the sequence represent the number of squares in the picture pattern. Write the next numbers in the pattern.
$4$4, $\editable{}$, $\editable{}$, $\editable{}$, $\editable{}$, $\editable{}$
Question 3
Complete the pattern:
$8$8, $12$12, $16$16, $\editable{}$, $\editable{}$, $\editable{}$
What is the rule for filling in the pattern?
Add $8$8.
ASubtract $8$8.
BSubtract $4$4.
CAdd $4$4.
D