Patterns — Grade 1 Mathematics
A pattern is something that repeats in a predictable way. Patterns are all around us — in the stripes on a zebra, the tiles on a floor, the seasons of the year, and the numbers we count. Learning to spot and extend patterns builds the logical thinking skills that underpin all of mathematics!
Types of Patterns
Repeating Pattern — a sequence that has a core unit (the part that repeats) which cycles over and over.
Example: 🔴🔵🔴🔵🔴🔵... the core is 🔴🔵.
Growing Pattern — a sequence where each term gets bigger by the same amount each time.
Example: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10… (add 2 each time).
Number Pattern — a list of numbers arranged by a rule.
Example: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9… (odd numbers).
Example: 🔴🔵🔴🔵🔴🔵... the core is 🔴🔵.
Growing Pattern — a sequence where each term gets bigger by the same amount each time.
Example: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10… (add 2 each time).
Number Pattern — a list of numbers arranged by a rule.
Example: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9… (odd numbers).
💡 Tip: To find the rule, look at what changes each time. Ask yourself: "What is being added, subtracted, or repeated?"
Worked Examples
Example 1 — Repeating Colour Pattern (AB)
The core of this pattern is A, B. What comes next?
🟠
🔵
🟠
🔵
🟠
?
Answer: 🔵 — the pattern AB repeats, so after 🟠 comes 🔵.
Example 2 — Repeating Pattern (ABC)
What is the next shape in this pattern?
⭐
❤️
🔷
⭐
❤️
?
Answer: 🔷 — core is ⭐❤️🔷, repeating.
Example 3 — Growing Number Pattern
Continue this number pattern: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___
5
+5
10
+5
15
+5
20
+5
?
Rule: +5 each time. Answer: 25
Practice Questions
1. What comes next? 🌙⭐🌙⭐🌙 ___
✅ ⭐ — the repeating pattern is 🌙⭐.
2. Continue the pattern: 3, 6, 9, 12, ___
✅ 15 — the rule is +3 each time.
3. What is the rule? 20, 18, 16, 14, ___
✅ Rule: −2 each time. Next number: 12.
4. Identify the pattern core: 🔴🔴🔵🔴🔴🔵🔴🔴🔵
✅ Core: 🔴🔴🔵 (AAB pattern)
5. Complete: 1, 4, 7, 10, ___, 16
✅ Rule: +3. Missing number: 13.
Key Points to Remember
- A pattern repeats or changes by a consistent rule.
- Repeating patterns have a core that cycles (e.g., AB, ABC, AAB).
- Growing patterns increase or decrease by a fixed amount.
- To find the rule, ask: "What changes each time?"
- Always check your rule works for all terms in the sequence.