Spot the hidden rule behind number sequences, then use it to predict what comes next.
Every number pattern follows a rule — usually adding, subtracting, or multiplying by the same amount each time. Once you spot the rule, you can predict what comes next.
What is the rule in 3, 6, 9, 12, ...? What comes next?
Add 3 each time; next is 15
What is the rule in 100, 90, 80, 70, ...? What comes next?
Subtract 10 each time; next is 60
Multiplication tables are full of patterns — the ones digit repeats in a cycle, and every multiple of a number follows the same rule of that number added again and again.
Look at the ones digit in the table of 5: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25... What pattern do you see?
The ones digit alternates between 5 and 0
What is the rule connecting each number in the table of 6: 6, 12, 18, 24?
Add 6 each time
1. What comes next in 2, 4, 6, 8, ...?
2. What is the rule in 1, 4, 7, 10, ...? What comes next?
3. What comes next in 50, 45, 40, 35, ...?
4. Look at the table of 9: 9, 18, 27, 36. What is the sum of the digits in each number?
5. What is the rule in 5, 10, 20, 40, ...? What comes next?