Growing Patterns
A growing pattern is a pattern where each step gets bigger than the one before. Unlike a repeating pattern (which stays the same), a growing pattern increases in a regular way.
In Class 1, children see growing patterns with objects (like adding one more block each time) and with numbers (like 1, 3, 5, 7).
What is Growing Patterns - Class 1 Maths (Patterns (Grade 1))?
A growing pattern is a pattern where each term is larger than the previous one. The amount it grows by follows a rule.
Examples:
- 1, 2, 3, 4 — grows by 1 each time
- 2, 4, 6, 8 — grows by 2 each time
- 1 block, 2 blocks, 3 blocks, 4 blocks — one more block each time
Solved Examples
Example 1: Example 1: Block Tower
Question: Step 1 has 1 block. Step 2 has 2 blocks. Step 3 has 3 blocks. How many blocks in Step 4?
Think:
- Pattern: add 1 block each step
- Step 4 = 3 + 1 = 4 blocks
Answer: Step 4 has 4 blocks.
Example 2: Example 2: Dot Pattern
Question: Step 1: 1 dot. Step 2: 3 dots. Step 3: 5 dots. How many dots in Step 4?
Think:
- Rule: add 2 each time
- 5 + 2 = 7
Answer: Step 4 has 7 dots.
Example 3: Example 3: Staircase Pattern
Question: Ria makes a staircase with blocks: Step 1 = 1, Step 2 = 3, Step 3 = 6. How much was added at each step?
Think:
- Step 1 to Step 2: 3 − 1 = 2 added
- Step 2 to Step 3: 6 − 3 = 3 added
Answer: She added 2, then 3. The amount added also grows!
Example 4: Example 4: Number Growing Pattern
Question: 1, 2, 4, 7, ___? (adds 1, then 2, then 3...)
Think:
- 1+1=2, 2+2=4, 4+3=7, 7+4=11
Answer: 11 comes next.
Example 5: Example 5: Growing by 5
Question: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___?
Answer: 25 comes next (grows by 5).
Example 6: Example 6: Real Life Growing Pattern
Question: Aman saves ₹1 on day 1, ₹2 on day 2, ₹3 on day 3. How much on day 4?
Answer: ₹4 on day 4. He saves 1 more rupee each day.
Example 7: Example 7: Growing vs Repeating
Question: Which is a growing pattern? (A) 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2 (B) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Answer: (B) is a growing pattern — each number gets bigger. (A) is a repeating pattern.
Key Points to Remember
- A growing pattern gets bigger at each step.
- The rule tells you how much the pattern grows by.
- Growing patterns can use objects, shapes, or numbers.
- A repeating pattern stays the same; a growing pattern increases.
- Finding the rule helps you predict the next step.
Practice Problems
- Step 1 has 2 blocks. Step 2 has 4 blocks. Step 3 has 6 blocks. How many in Step 4?
- Continue: 3, 6, 9, ___, ___.
- Is this growing or repeating? 5, 10, 15, 20.
- Priya draws: 1 star, 3 stars, 5 stars, ___. How many next?
- Draw a growing pattern using dots. Start with 1 dot and add 2 each time.
- Ria saves ₹2, ₹4, ₹6. How much will she save next?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is a growing pattern?
A growing pattern is a pattern where each term is bigger than the one before. It follows a rule that tells you how much to add each time.
Q2. How is a growing pattern different from a repeating pattern?
A repeating pattern has the same core that repeats over and over (like AB, AB). A growing pattern increases — each step is bigger than the last.
Q3. How do I find the rule of a growing pattern?
Look at how much the pattern grows from one step to the next. If it goes 2, 4, 6, 8, it grows by 2 each time. That is the rule.
Q4. Can a growing pattern use shapes?
Yes. You can add one more circle each step, or two more blocks each step. The shapes grow in number.
Q5. What comes after a growing pattern of 1, 3, 5, 7?
The pattern grows by 2 each time. After 7, the next number is 7 + 2 = 9.
Q6. Why are growing patterns important?
Growing patterns help children understand how numbers increase. They build skills for addition, multiplication, and algebra in later classes.
