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Number sequences and patterns

Dynamic tasks help students recognise number patterns, find missing terms, continue increasing and decreasing sequences, and understand input-output tables.

Questions: 10Estimated time: 13 minutes
Number sequences and patterns
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Sample questions

  1. What is the next term of the increasing sequence?___, ...
  2. What is the next term of the decreasing sequence?___, ...
  3. Which number is missing from the sequence?___
  4. Which operation is performed each time to obtain the next term?___
  5. The sequence alternates between two different operations. What is its next term?___, ...

Number sequences

A number sequence is an ordered list of terms. To continue a sequence, find a rule connecting consecutive terms. The rule may involve constant increase or decrease, multiplication, division or a repeating pattern of operations.

How can the rule be found?

  • Calculate differences between consecutive terms.
  • If differences vary, check multiplication or repeating operations.
  • Test the rule on every given term, not only the first two.

A missing term can sometimes be found more easily by working backwards with an inverse operation. Several rules may fit only a few numbers, so select the simplest rule that matches the complete sequence shown.

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