If I told you that a list of numbers started with $3$3 and increased by $2$2 each time, you could find the next number in the pattern. It would be $3+2=5$3+2=5.

In fact, you could find every number in the pattern!

$3+2=5$3+2=5
$5+2=7$5+2=7
$7+2=9$7+2=9
$9+2=11$9+2=11

... and so on. This is called creating a pattern from a description. Watch the video below to see more about creating patterns from a description.

Now that you've learnt how to create a pattern from a description, try some questions yourself!

Worked Examples

Example 1

Create a pattern by adding $1$1 each time.

$5$5 $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$

Example 2

Create a pattern by subtracting $2$2 each time.

$19$19 $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$

Example 3

Create a pattern by adding $11$11 each time.

$39$39 $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$

Outcomes

3.N.AS.3

Solves addition and subtraction problems in different situations presented through pictures and stories.

3.P.P.3

Identifies patterns in the numerals for odd and even numbers and in adding odd and even numbers.

3.P.P.6

Identifies patterns in multiplication with, and dividing by 10s. (also addition, subtraction)

Create a pattern from a description (add/sub)