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Year 6 Maths — Number patterns

Work out the rule behind a pattern of numbers and carry the pattern on.

Name: ________________________

Before you start

This line starts at 1 and every mark along it is 4 further on. Move from mark to mark and see which numbers the pattern lands on.

1917253341

Once you know what happens between two neighbouring marks you know every number on the line, however far along it you go. Finding the rule is the work; the next number then costs nothing.

  1. 1.What is the missing number? 6, 12, ?, 24, 30

  2. 2.What comes next? 100, 90, 81, 73, ?

  3. 3.What comes next? 3, 7, 11, 15, ?

  4. 4.A pattern goes 12, 16, 20 and carries on. Tap the number that comes next.

    Mark the line with an X.

    1012141618202224262830

  5. 5.A pattern of squares grows: 1 square, then 4, then 9. How many squares are in the next step?

    • a) 14
    • b) 12
    • c) 16
    • d) 20

  6. 6.What is the rule for 2, 5, 8, 11, 14?

    • a) Multiply by 2
    • b) Add 3
    • c) Add 2
    • d) Add 4

  7. 7.What is the missing number? 45, 40, ?, 30, 25

  8. 8.Match each pattern to its rule.

    • 2, 4, 6, 8
    • 10, 20, 30, 40
    • 1, 3, 9, 27
    • 20, 17, 14, 11
    • 1, 2, 4, 8
    • Subtract 3
    • Multiply by 2
    • Multiply by 3
    • Add 10
    • Add 2

Answer key — Year 6 Maths — Number patterns

  1. 1. 18
  2. 2. 66
  3. 3. 19
  4. 4. 24
  5. 5. c) 16
  6. 6. b) Add 3
  7. 7. 35
  8. 8. 2, 4, 6, 8 → Add 2; 10, 20, 30, 40 → Add 10; 1, 3, 9, 27 → Multiply by 3; 20, 17, 14, 11 → Subtract 3; 1, 2, 4, 8 → Multiply by 2