What Are Number Patterns?

In the last two lessons, you learned about repeating patterns and growing patterns.

These patterns all had objects and shapes in them.

In this lesson, we're going to learn about patterns with numbers.

Repeating Number Patterns

Can you figure out the next number?

To fill in the pattern, let's first figure out its rule.

      A rule says which numbers should be next in the sequence of the pattern. 

      A sequence is a group of numbers arranged according to a rule.

We see that 2, 7, and 3 are a set of elements that repeat. 

So, what's our rule?

Rule: Add 2, then 7, then 3. ✅

Now, using this rule, can you figure out what comes after 7?

You got it, 3.

Great work. 👏 

After the 3, you repeat "273" again.

Growing Number Patterns

      A growing number pattern is a pattern where numbers get bigger according to a rule.

Take a look:

This pattern is growing! 😀

It grows by 3 every time.

We can write the rule for the pattern like this:

Rule: Add 3 to the previous term

Tip: You just figured out the rule for skip counting by 3. Great job!

So what's the next number in this pattern?

You got it, 30.

Using a Rule to Complete a Pattern

Check out this pattern:

The rule is:

Add 10

What are next three numbers in the pattern?

Let's find out by following the rule.

Did you think of these numbers too?

Perfect.

Shrinking Number Patterns

If there are patterns that grow, there are also patterns that shrink.

Take a look:

What did you notice?

The pattern is shrinking.

      A shrinking pattern is a kind of pattern that gets smaller in a way that you can easily tell.

How is this pattern getting smaller?

Correct. It gets smaller by 3 every time. 

What do you think is the rule of this pattern? 🤔

We can write it like:

Rule: Subtract 3 from the previous term

      The rule in a shrinking pattern tells us how the numbers decrease every time.

Awesome.

Patterns Example: How Many are Left

Let's say there are 22 cookies in a jar. 4 kids each eat 1 cookie after dinner every night.

How many cookies are left at the end of 5 nights?

Let's figure this out by using a table.

We start with 22 cookies.

Each night, 4 cookies are eaten, 1 cookie per child.

At the end of Day 1, there are 18 cookies.

At the end of Day 2, we have 14 cookies left.

At the end of Day 3, only 10 cookies remain.

Now, it's Day 4. 6 brave cookies survive.

At the end of Day 5, how many fortunate cookies are left? 🤔

That's right.

2 lucky cookies are left in the jar. 🍪🍪

Are there enough cookies for all 4 kids on the 6th day?

There's only 2 cookies left. That's not enough for all the kids. 

Mom just needs to make more cookies. 😋🍪

Excellent Work

Now, try the practice. You can do it!