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Basic 2 · Mathematics · Patterns and Relationship

Number Patterns

In this topic you will find the rule in number patterns and fill in missing numbers.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Find the rule in a number pattern
  • Fill in missing numbers
  • Make your own pattern

What you already know

  • Skip counting

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Algebra
Sub-strand
Patterns and Relationship
Indicator
B2.2.1.1.1 – Identify create and describe the rule for simple number patterns involving repeated addition or subtraction skip counting and arrays of objects

Introduction

Look: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___. What comes next? Each number is 5 more than the one before. That is the rule.

1. What is a Pattern?

Pattern: Numbers or shapes that follow a rule.

Rule: What we do to get from one number to the next.

2. Adding Patterns

Patterns that grow
PatternRuleNext
2, 4, 6, 8, 10add 212
5, 10, 15, 20add 525
54, 55, 56, 57add 158

3. Repeating Patterns

9, 1, 3, 5, 9, 1, 3, 5, … The group "9, 1, 3, 5" repeats. Next is 9.

Beads in a repeating red, blue, blue pattern
Figure 1: A repeating pattern Draw a repeating pattern with two colours.Illustration: Sirbus

Example

Find the missing numbers: 10, 20, ___, 40, ___

  1. The rule is add 10.
  2. 20 + 10 = 30
  3. 40 + 10 = 50

Answer: 30 and 50

New words

pattern
Things that follow a rule.
rule
What we do to get the next number.
repeat
To happen again.
missing
Not there.

Summary

  • A pattern follows a rule.
  • Find the rule, then use it to find the missing numbers.
  • Some patterns repeat.

Class activity: Pattern Makers

  1. Make a pattern with number cards or bottle tops.
  2. Your partner finds the rule.
  3. Swap and do it again.

You need: Bottle tops, Locally made number cards, Exercise books

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. What comes next? 3, 6, 9, ___

    • A. 10
    • B. 11
    • C. 12
    • D. 15
    Show answer
    Answer: 12Add 3 each time.

  2. 2. What is the rule? 25, 30, 35, 40

    • A. Add 5
    • B. Add 10
    • C. Take away 5
    • D. Add 1
    Show answer
    Answer: Add 5Each number is 5 more.

  3. 3. 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2 is a repeating pattern.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: True"1, 2" repeats.

  4. 4. The next number in 7, 14, 21 is 27.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseThe rule is add 7, so it is 28.

  5. 5. 100, 200, 300, ______

    Show answer
    Answer: 400Add 100.

  6. 6. Fill in the missing numbers: 4, 8, ___, 16, ___

    Show answer
    Answer: 12 and 20The rule is add 4.

Homework

  1. Make a number pattern of five numbers. Write its rule.