Number Patterns (Grade 1)
Number patterns are sequences of numbers that follow a rule. In Class 1, children learn simple patterns like counting by 1s, counting by 2s, and repeating number groups.
Spotting number patterns helps children predict what number comes next and builds strong number sense.
Number patterns are like secret codes. Once you figure out the rule, you can predict any number in the pattern. Some patterns grow (get bigger), and some patterns shrink (get smaller).
Number patterns connect to skip counting (counting by 2s, 5s, 10s) and are the first step toward understanding multiplication in later classes.
What is Number Patterns (Grade 1) - Class 1 Maths (Patterns (Grade 1))?
A number pattern is a list of numbers arranged in a special order. There is always a rule that connects one number to the next.
Common rules in Class 1:
- Add 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6...
- Add 2: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10...
- Add 5: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25...
- Add 10: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50...
- Repeating: 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2...
Types and Properties
Types of Number Patterns
| Pattern Type | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Counting by 1s | Add 1 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6... |
| Counting by 2s | Add 2 | 2, 4, 6, 8, 10... |
| Counting by 5s | Add 5 | 5, 10, 15, 20, 25... |
| Counting by 10s | Add 10 | 10, 20, 30, 40, 50... |
| Backward by 1 | Subtract 1 | 10, 9, 8, 7, 6... |
| Backward by 2 | Subtract 2 | 20, 18, 16, 14, 12... |
| Repeating | Core repeats | 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2... |
How to Find the Rule
- Look at two numbers that are next to each other.
- Find the difference (subtract the smaller from the bigger).
- Check if the same difference works for the next pair.
- If yes, that is the rule!
Solved Examples
Example 1: Example 1: Add 1 Pattern
Question: What comes next? 4, 5, 6, 7, ___?
Think:
- Rule: add 1 each time
- 7 + 1 = 8
Answer: 8 comes next.
Example 2: Example 2: Add 2 Pattern
Question: What comes next? 2, 4, 6, 8, ___?
Think:
- Rule: add 2 each time
- 8 + 2 = 10
Answer: 10 comes next.
Example 3: Example 3: Add 10 Pattern
Question: What comes next? 10, 20, 30, ___?
Answer: 40 comes next (add 10).
Example 4: Example 4: Add 5 Pattern
Question: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___?
Answer: 25 comes next (add 5).
Example 5: Example 5: Repeating Number Pattern
Question: 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, ___, ___?
Answer: 2, 3 come next (the group 1, 2, 3 repeats).
Example 6: Example 6: Find the Rule
Question: What is the rule? 3, 6, 9, 12, 15.
Think:
- 6 − 3 = 3
- 9 − 6 = 3
- Rule: add 3 each time
Answer: The rule is add 3.
Example 7: Example 7: Counting Backward Pattern
Question: 10, 9, 8, 7, ___?
Think:
- Rule: subtract 1 each time
- 7 − 1 = 6
Answer: 6 comes next.
Example 8: Example 8: Create a Pattern
Question: Create a number pattern that starts at 3 and adds 3 each time. Write the first 6 numbers.
Think:
- Start: 3
- 3 + 3 = 6
- 6 + 3 = 9
- 9 + 3 = 12
- 12 + 3 = 15
- 15 + 3 = 18
Answer: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18.
Real-World Applications
Where we use number patterns:
- Skip counting: Counting by 2s, 5s, or 10s for faster counting
- Times tables: The 2-times table (2, 4, 6, 8) is a number pattern
- Even/odd numbers: 2, 4, 6, 8 (even) and 1, 3, 5, 7 (odd) are patterns
- Calendar: Dates follow a pattern — every 7th day is the same weekday
Key Points to Remember
- Number patterns follow a rule — like add 1, add 2, add 5, or add 10.
- To find the rule, look at the difference between numbers.
- Patterns can go forward (increasing) or backward (decreasing).
- Some number patterns repeat a group of numbers.
- Finding the rule helps you predict what comes next.
Practice Problems
- What comes next? 1, 3, 5, 7, ___?
- Find the rule: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50.
- Continue the pattern: 15, 20, 25, ___, ___.
- What comes next? 9, 8, 7, 6, ___?
- Complete: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10.
- Create a number pattern that adds 3 each time, starting from 1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is a number pattern?
A number pattern is a sequence of numbers that follows a rule. The rule tells you how to get from one number to the next, like adding 2 or adding 5.
Q2. How do I find the rule of a number pattern?
Look at any two numbers that are next to each other and find the difference. If 4 comes after 2, the rule is add 2. Check with the next pair to confirm.
Q3. Can number patterns go backward?
Yes. Patterns like 10, 9, 8, 7 go backward by subtracting 1. Patterns like 20, 15, 10, 5 go backward by subtracting 5.
Q4. What is a skip counting pattern?
Skip counting means counting by a number other than 1 — like 2, 4, 6, 8 (skip count by 2) or 5, 10, 15, 20 (skip count by 5).
Q5. How are number patterns useful?
Number patterns help children understand addition, multiplication, and number relationships. They make mental maths faster and easier.
Q6. Can a number pattern repeat?
Yes. Patterns like 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2 repeat the same group of numbers over and over, just like shape patterns.
