Look at this: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10... Can you guess the next number? It is 12!
This is a pattern. A pattern is something that repeats or follows a rule.
Patterns are everywhere -- in numbers, in shapes, in rangoli designs, and even in the days of the week!
When we find the rule, we can tell what comes next.
Number Patterns
In a number pattern, numbers follow a rule. The rule tells us what to do to get the next number.
| Pattern | Rule | Next Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 2, 4, 6, 8, ... | Add 2 | 10, 12, 14 |
| 5, 10, 15, 20, ... | Add 5 | 25, 30, 35 |
| 10, 20, 30, 40, ... | Add 10 | 50, 60, 70 |
| 3, 6, 9, 12, ... | Add 3 | 15, 18, 21 |
Skip Counting
Skip counting means counting forward by skipping some numbers. It follows a pattern!
Shape Patterns
In a shape pattern, shapes repeat in a fixed order.
Example: Circle, Square, Circle, Square, Circle, Square, ...
The rule is: Circle and Square repeat one after the other.
What comes next? Circle, then Square.
Another example: Triangle, Triangle, Circle, Triangle, Triangle, Circle, ...
The rule is: Two Triangles, then one Circle. This group of three keeps repeating.
Finding the Rule
To find the rule, look at how the pattern changes from one step to the next.
Pattern: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20. Each number is 4 more than the one before. Rule: Add 4.
Pattern: 10, 15, 20, 25, 30. What is the rule?
Each number is 5 more than the one before. Rule: Add 5. Next number: 35.
Fill in the missing numbers: 6, 8, ___, 12, ___, 16.
Rule: Add 2. Missing numbers: 10 and 14.
Pattern: Square, Circle, Triangle, Square, Circle, Triangle, Square, ...
The group "Square, Circle, Triangle" repeats. Next two shapes: Circle, Triangle.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pattern | Something that repeats or follows a rule |
| Rule | The instruction that tells how the pattern works |
| Skip counting | Counting forward by jumping over numbers (by 2s, 5s, 10s) |
| Repeating pattern | A pattern where a group of items repeats again and again |
| Number pattern | A list of numbers that follows a rule |
Pattern Rangoli: Create a pattern using shapes. Draw a repeating pattern in the space below using circles, triangles, and squares. Your pattern must repeat at least 3 times.
Write the rule of your pattern: ___________________________
Now create a number pattern of your own. Write 8 numbers that follow a rule.
My pattern: ___________________________________________
My rule: ______________________________________________
Want to use this as a worksheet? Switch to the A4 printable view.
Look at this: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10... Can you guess the next number? It is 12!
This is a pattern. A pattern is something that repeats or follows a rule.
Patterns are everywhere -- in numbers, in shapes, in rangoli designs, and even in the days of the week!
When we find the rule, we can tell what comes next.
Number Patterns
In a number pattern, numbers follow a rule. The rule tells us what to do to get the next number.
| Pattern | Rule | Next Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 2, 4, 6, 8, ... | Add 2 | 10, 12, 14 |
| 5, 10, 15, 20, ... | Add 5 | 25, 30, 35 |
| 10, 20, 30, 40, ... | Add 10 | 50, 60, 70 |
| 3, 6, 9, 12, ... | Add 3 | 15, 18, 21 |
Skip Counting
Skip counting means counting forward by skipping some numbers. It follows a pattern!
Think about it: When you count by 5s, what do all the numbers end with? They end with 0 or 5!
Shape Patterns
In a shape pattern, shapes repeat in a fixed order.
Example: Circle, Square, Circle, Square, Circle, Square, ...
The rule is: Circle and Square repeat one after the other.
What comes next? Circle, then Square.
Another example: Triangle, Triangle, Circle, Triangle, Triangle, Circle, ...
The rule is: Two Triangles, then one Circle. This group of three keeps repeating.
Finding the Rule
To find the rule, look at how the pattern changes from one step to the next.
Pattern: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20. Each number is 4 more than the one before. Rule: Add 4.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pattern | Something that repeats or follows a rule |
| Rule | The instruction that tells how the pattern works |
| Skip counting | Counting forward by jumping over numbers (by 2s, 5s, 10s) |
| Repeating pattern | A pattern where a group of items repeats again and again |
| Number pattern | A list of numbers that follows a rule |
Pattern: 10, 15, 20, 25, 30. What is the rule?
Each number is 5 more than the one before. Rule: Add 5. Next number: 35.
Fill in the missing numbers: 6, 8, ___, 12, ___, 16.
Rule: Add 2. Missing numbers: 10 and 14.
Pattern: Square, Circle, Triangle, Square, Circle, Triangle, Square, ...
The group "Square, Circle, Triangle" repeats. Next two shapes: Circle, Triangle.
A. Find the Rule and Write the Next 3 Numbers
B. Fill in the Missing Numbers
C. Multiple Choice Questions
D. Short Answer
Pattern Rangoli: Create a pattern using shapes. Draw a repeating pattern in the space below using circles, triangles, and squares. Your pattern must repeat at least 3 times.
Write the rule of your pattern: ___________________________
Now create a number pattern of your own. Write 8 numbers that follow a rule.
My pattern: ___________________________________________
My rule: ______________________________________________