Finding Rules in Number Patterns
Year 4 Mathematics Discovering patterns and rules in sequences
What is a Number Pattern?
A number pattern is a sequence of numbers Numbers follow a special rule or order Each number connects to the next in a predictable way Examples: 1, 3, 5, 7... or 10, 20, 30, 40...
Pattern Detective Challenge
Look at this sequence: 3, 6, 9, 12, ? What number comes next? What rule did you discover? Work with your partner to find the pattern!
Finding the Rule: Add or Subtract
Look at the difference between numbers 2, 4, 6, 8 → add 2 each time 10, 8, 6, 4 → subtract 2 each time The rule tells us what to do to get the next number
Pattern Examples
{"left":"5, 10, 15, 20, 25\nRule: Add 5\n100, 90, 80, 70, 60","right":"Rule: Subtract 10\n1, 4, 7, 10, 13\nRule: Add 3"}
Can You Find the Rule?
Pattern 1: 4, 8, 12, 16, ? Pattern 2: 50, 45, 40, 35, ? Pattern 3: 1, 5, 9, 13, ? Discuss your answers with a friend!
Create Your Own Pattern
Choose a starting number Pick a rule (add or subtract) Write the first 5 numbers in your pattern Challenge a classmate to find your rule!
Pattern Rules Everywhere!
Patterns help us predict what comes next We find patterns in nature, music, and art Rules make patterns predictable and useful Great job being pattern detectives today!
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