Algebra
Patterns that repeat
Spot the part of a pattern that repeats, or the jump it climbs by, and say what comes next.
A repeating pattern says the same little bit over and over again. Find that bit and you can say what comes next. Some patterns grow instead of repeating: the numbers climb by the same jump each time, and the jump tells you what comes next.
Worked example
What comes next? ● ▲ ▲ ● ▲ ▲ ●
Look for the part that keeps coming back: ● ▲ ▲.
Those three shapes say themselves again and again.
Try it together
Try this one: star, box, box, star, box, box, star.
1.The pattern star, box, box, star, box, box, star repeats. How many things are in the part that repeats?
Remember
Say the pattern out loud as you point at it. Your ears often spot the repeat before your eyes do.
Have a go
Have a go: what comes next? 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, __
Ready to practise?
Eight questions on what you have just read. Nothing is timed, and you can play as many times as you like.