Number Patterns (Grade 3)
A number pattern is a sequence of numbers that follows a rule. In Class 3, students learn to identify the rule behind a pattern, extend the pattern, and create their own patterns using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and skip counting.
Recognising patterns builds logical thinking and is an important foundation for algebra.
What is Number Patterns - Class 3 Maths (Patterns)?
A number pattern is a list of numbers arranged according to a rule. The rule tells you how to get from one number to the next.
Common pattern rules:
- Add a fixed number: 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, ... (add 3)
- Subtract a fixed number: 30, 25, 20, 15, ... (subtract 5)
- Multiply: 3, 6, 12, 24, ... (multiply by 2)
- Skip counting: 5, 10, 15, 20, ... (count by 5s)
Solved Examples
Example 1: Adding Pattern
Question: Find the next 3 numbers: 4, 7, 10, 13, ___, ___, ___
Think:
- 7 − 4 = 3, 10 − 7 = 3, 13 − 10 = 3
- Rule: add 3
- 13 + 3 = 16, 16 + 3 = 19, 19 + 3 = 22
Answer: 16, 19, 22.
Example 2: Subtracting Pattern
Question: Find the next 3 numbers: 50, 45, 40, 35, ___, ___, ___
Think:
- 45 − 50 = −5 → subtract 5
- 35 − 5 = 30, 30 − 5 = 25, 25 − 5 = 20
Answer: 30, 25, 20.
Example 3: Skip Counting Pattern
Question: Ria counts by 4s starting from 4: 4, 8, 12, ___, ___, ___
Think:
- Rule: add 4
- 12 + 4 = 16, 16 + 4 = 20, 20 + 4 = 24
Answer: 16, 20, 24.
Example 4: Doubling Pattern
Question: Find the pattern: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, ___
Think:
- 2 ÷ 1 = 2, 4 ÷ 2 = 2, 8 ÷ 4 = 2
- Rule: multiply by 2 (double)
- 16 × 2 = 32
Answer: The next number is 32.
Example 5: Finding the Rule
Question: What is the rule for this pattern: 10, 17, 24, 31, 38?
Think:
- 17 − 10 = 7
- 24 − 17 = 7
- 31 − 24 = 7
Answer: The rule is add 7.
Example 6: Finding Missing Numbers
Question: Fill in the blanks: 5, 10, ___, 20, 25, ___
Think:
- 10 − 5 = 5, rule = add 5
- 10 + 5 = 15, 25 + 5 = 30
Answer: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30.
Example 7: Decreasing Pattern with Large Numbers
Question: Find the next 2 numbers: 200, 175, 150, 125, ___, ___
Think:
- 175 − 200 = −25 → subtract 25
- 125 − 25 = 100, 100 − 25 = 75
Answer: 100, 75.
Example 8: Growing Pattern with Different Rule
Question: What comes next: 2, 5, 10, 17, 26, ___?
Think:
- 5 − 2 = 3, 10 − 5 = 5, 17 − 10 = 7, 26 − 17 = 9
- The differences are 3, 5, 7, 9 → they increase by 2
- Next difference = 11
- 26 + 11 = 37
Answer: The next number is 37.
Example 9: Creating a Pattern
Question: Dev creates a pattern starting at 6, with the rule "add 8". Write the first 5 numbers.
Think:
- 6, 6+8=14, 14+8=22, 22+8=30, 30+8=38
Answer: 6, 14, 22, 30, 38.
Key Points to Remember
- A number pattern follows a rule to go from one number to the next.
- Common rules: add, subtract, multiply, or double a fixed number.
- To find the rule, look at the difference between consecutive numbers.
- A pattern can be increasing (growing) or decreasing (shrinking).
- Some patterns have differences that themselves follow a pattern (growing patterns).
- Patterns can start at any number and use any rule.
- Number patterns are closely related to skip counting and multiplication tables.
Practice Problems
- Find the next 3 numbers: 3, 6, 9, 12, ___, ___, ___
- Find the rule: 100, 90, 80, 70, 60.
- Fill in the blanks: 7, 14, ___, 28, 35, ___
- What is the next number: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ___?
- Aman starts at 50 and subtracts 6 each time. Write the first 5 numbers.
- Create a pattern starting at 10 with the rule 'add 9'. Write 6 numbers.
- Find the missing number: 15, ___, 27, 33, 39.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is a number pattern?
A number pattern is a sequence of numbers that follows a specific rule. For example, 2, 4, 6, 8 follows the rule 'add 2'.
Q2. How do you find the rule of a pattern?
Subtract each number from the next to find the difference. If the difference is the same each time, that is the rule. For example, 5, 10, 15 has a difference of 5 each time.
Q3. What is a growing pattern?
A growing pattern is one where numbers increase. For example, 3, 6, 9, 12 is a growing pattern (add 3).
Q4. What is a shrinking pattern?
A shrinking pattern is one where numbers decrease. For example, 40, 35, 30, 25 is a shrinking pattern (subtract 5).
Q5. Can a pattern rule involve multiplication?
Yes. For example, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 follows the rule 'multiply by 2'. Each number is double the previous one.
Q6. How are number patterns related to skip counting?
Skip counting is a type of number pattern. Counting by 3s (3, 6, 9, 12) is a pattern with the rule 'add 3'.
Q7. What if the differences between numbers are not the same?
Check if the differences themselves form a pattern. For example, in 1, 3, 6, 10, 15 the differences are 2, 3, 4, 5 -- they increase by 1 each time.
Q8. Are number patterns covered in NCERT Class 3?
Yes. Number patterns are part of the Patterns chapter in NCERT Class 3 Maths. Students identify rules, extend patterns, and fill in missing numbers.
