Arithmetic Patterns: Subtraction

Core Concepts

Master decreasing patterns that use a consistent subtraction rule. This is another form of arithmetic sequence.

Arithmetic Patterns: Subtraction

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What is the rule for a subtraction pattern?

The rule is to subtract the same number from each term to get the next term.

How do you find the rule in a subtraction pattern?

Subtract a term from the one before it. For example, in \(20, 18, 16\), calculate \(20 - 18 = 2\). The rule is 'subtract \(2\)'.

What is the rule for the pattern \(50, 45, 40, 35, ...\)?

The rule is 'subtract \(5\)'.

Find the next three terms in the pattern: \(88, 77, 66, ...\)

The rule is 'subtract \(11\)'. The next three terms are \(55\), \(44\), and \(33\).

What is the missing number in this sequence? \(30, 27, \_\_, 21, 18\)

The missing number is \(24\). The rule is 'subtract \(3\)', and \(27 - 3 = 24\).

A pattern starts at \(100\) and follows the rule 'subtract \(15\)'. What are the first four terms?

The first four terms are \(100\), \(85\), \(70\), and \(55\).

Find the next term: \(63, 56, 49, 42, ...\)

The next term is \(35\). The rule is 'subtract \(7\)', and \(42 - 7 = 35\).

Identify the number that does not fit the pattern: \(90, 80, 70, 65, 50\)

The number \(65\) does not fit. The rule is 'subtract \(10\)', so the term should be \(60\).

A countdown for a rocket launch starts at \(30\). The numbers announced are \(30, 25, 20, ...\). What is the next number in the countdown?

The next number is \(15\). The pattern is subtracting \(5\) each time.

What is the rule for the pattern \(48, 44, 40, 36, ...\)?

The rule is 'subtract \(4\)'.

Find the missing term: \(12, 10, \_\_, 6, 4\)

The missing term is \(8\). The rule is 'subtract \(2\)', and \(10 - 2 = 8\).

A pattern starts at \(60\) and the rule is 'subtract \(12\)'. What is the third term?

The third term is \(36\). The sequence is \(60, 48, 36, ...\).

Does a subtraction pattern always result in smaller numbers?

Yes, when subtracting a positive number, each term will be smaller than the one before it, leading to a decreasing sequence.

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