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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.

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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 rule for 2, 5, 8, 11, 14?

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

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

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

  4. 4.A pattern goes 7, 14, 21, 28 and carries on the same way. What is its tenth number?

  5. 5.What comes next? 1, 4, 9, 16, ?

  6. 6.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
    • Add 10
    • Subtract 3
    • Add 2
    • Multiply by 2
    • Multiply by 3

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

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

    Mark the line with an X.

    1012141618202224262830

Answer key — Year 6 Maths — Number patterns

  1. 1. b) Add 3
  2. 2. 66
  3. 3. 18
  4. 4. 70
  5. 5. 25
  6. 6. 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
  7. 7. 35
  8. 8. 24