What are Number Patterns?

Foundational

Learn the basics of number patterns, what a sequence is, and how to identify the rule of a pattern.

What are Number Patterns?

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What is a number pattern or sequence?

A number pattern, or sequence, is a list of numbers that follow a specific rule or order.

What is a 'term' in a number pattern?

A 'term' is a single number in a sequence. For example, in the pattern \(2, 4, 6\), the number \(4\) is the second term.

What is the 'rule' of a number pattern?

The rule is the specific instruction you follow to get from one term to the next. For example, 'add \(5\)' or 'repeat the numbers \(1, 2\)'.

What are the two main types of number patterns?

The two main types are growing patterns (numbers increase or decrease) and repeating patterns (numbers cycle through the same sequence).

Is the pattern \(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ...\) a growing or repeating pattern?

This is a growing pattern because the numbers are increasing. The rule is 'add \(1\)'.

Is the pattern \(9, 8, 7, 6, 5, ...\) a growing or repeating pattern?

This is a growing pattern (specifically, a decreasing one) because the numbers change by a consistent rule. The rule is 'subtract \(1\)'.

Is the pattern \(5, 0, 5, 0, 5, 0, ...\) a growing or repeating pattern?

This is a repeating pattern because the sequence of numbers \(5, 0\) repeats over and over.

How do you find the rule for a simple pattern like \(3, 6, 9, 12, ...\)?

Look at the difference between consecutive terms. From \(3\) to \(6\) is \(+3\). From \(6\) to \(9\) is \(+3\). The rule is 'add \(3\)'.

What is an arithmetic sequence?

An arithmetic sequence is a pattern where the same number is added or subtracted each time to get the next term.

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