Introduction: There are many different patterns in our world. Some are in nature. Some are in art. Some are in science and math. Patterns can be in pictures, in poetry, in music, in leaves, on animals, or in numbers. If you can figure out the pattern or the rule for the pattern, you can make predictions about what to expect next. In this activity, you get to try this with number patterns.

Problem: Look for a pattern in each list of numbers. Predict and write the next 6 numbers that would follow in each list. Explain or show the rule for the pattern (how you know those will be the next 6 numbers).

1. 4, 11, 18, 25, 32, 39, __, __, __, __, __, __
2. 14, 8, 2, -4, -10, __, __, __, __, __, __
3. 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, __, __, __, __, __, __
4. 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, __, __, __, __, __, __
5. 3, 6, 11, 18, 27, 38, __, __, __, __, __, __
6. 7, 8, 11, 9, 14, 21, 17, 26, 37, 31, 44, 59, 51, __, __, __, __, __, __
7. 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, __, __, __, __, __, __

Materials: pencil, paper, calculator

Extra Questions: Create your own number patterns. Give these to other classmates to see if they can predict what numbers will come next.

Numbers and patterns, critical and creative thinking, communication

  Activity Type:

Group      Individual 

  Assessment:

Scale:    Levels 1-5   
Self     Peer     Teacher 
Include in your portfolio?
Yes     No     Optional 
Toward Your Marks?
Yes     No     Optional 

  Hints: