Patterns in Shapes (Grade 2)
Shape patterns are patterns made using shapes, colours, or sizes that repeat in a fixed order. Just like number patterns follow a rule, shape patterns follow a rule too.
In Class 2, we learn to find the repeating part of a shape pattern and predict what comes next.
What is Patterns in Shapes - Class 2 Maths (Patterns (Grade 2))?
A shape pattern is a sequence of shapes that repeats over and over following a rule.
The part that repeats is called the core of the pattern.
Example:
⬤ △ ⬤ △ ⬤ △ ...
Here the core is: ⬤ △ (circle, triangle). It keeps repeating.
Types and Properties
Types of shape patterns:
- Repeating shape pattern: The same group of shapes repeats — Circle, Square, Circle, Square...
- Colour pattern: The same group of colours repeats — Red, Blue, Red, Blue...
- Size pattern: Sizes change in order — Big, Small, Big, Small...
- Growing shape pattern: The number of shapes increases — 1 star, 2 stars, 3 stars...
Solved Examples
Example 1: Example 1: Simple Repeating Pattern
Question: What comes next? Circle, Square, Circle, Square, Circle, ___
Think:
- The core is: Circle, Square
- It repeats over and over
- After Circle comes Square
Answer: The next shape is Square.
Example 2: Example 2: Three-Shape Pattern
Question: What comes next? Triangle, Circle, Star, Triangle, Circle, Star, Triangle, ___
Think:
- The core is: Triangle, Circle, Star
- After Triangle comes Circle
Answer: The next shape is Circle.
Example 3: Example 3: Colour Pattern
Question: Ria colours beads: Red, Blue, Blue, Red, Blue, Blue, Red, ___
Think:
- The core is: Red, Blue, Blue
- After Red comes Blue
Answer: The next bead is Blue.
Example 4: Example 4: Size Pattern
Question: Big star, Small star, Big star, Small star, Big star, ___
Think:
- The core is: Big, Small
- After Big comes Small
Answer: The next star is Small.
Example 5: Example 5: Growing Pattern
Question: Aman makes a pattern with dots: 1 dot, 2 dots, 3 dots, 4 dots, ___
Think:
- Each time, one more dot is added
- Rule: add 1 dot each time
- After 4 dots comes 5 dots
Answer: The next group has 5 dots.
Example 6: Example 6: Finding the Core
Question: What is the repeating core? Square, Triangle, Triangle, Square, Triangle, Triangle, Square, Triangle, Triangle
Think:
- Look for the group that repeats
- Square, Triangle, Triangle — this group appears 3 times
Answer: The core is Square, Triangle, Triangle.
Example 7: Example 7: Creating Your Own Pattern
Question: Priya wants to make a pattern using hearts and stars. The core should have 3 shapes. Give one example.
Think:
- Pick 3 shapes: Heart, Heart, Star
- Repeat: Heart, Heart, Star, Heart, Heart, Star...
Answer: One example: Heart, Heart, Star, Heart, Heart, Star, Heart, Heart, Star.
Key Points to Remember
- A shape pattern repeats a group of shapes in the same order.
- The repeating group is called the core.
- Patterns can use shapes, colours, or sizes.
- A growing pattern increases in number each time (1, 2, 3, 4...).
- To find what comes next, first identify the core, then continue repeating it.
Practice Problems
- What comes next? Star, Circle, Star, Circle, Star, ___
- Find the core: Triangle, Square, Square, Triangle, Square, Square, Triangle, Square, Square.
- Continue: Red, Green, Blue, Red, Green, Blue, Red, ___, ___
- Neha draws 1 flower, then 3 flowers, then 5 flowers. How many will she draw next?
- Make your own shape pattern with a core of 2 shapes. Write it 3 times.
- What comes next in this size pattern? Small, Medium, Large, Small, Medium, ___
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is a shape pattern?
A shape pattern is a sequence of shapes that repeats following a fixed rule. The same group of shapes appears again and again.
Q2. What is the core of a pattern?
The core is the smallest group that repeats. In the pattern Circle, Square, Circle, Square, the core is Circle, Square.
Q3. How do I find what comes next in a shape pattern?
First find the core (the repeating group). Then see where you are in the core. The next shape is the one that comes after in the core.
Q4. What is a growing shape pattern?
A growing pattern has an increasing number of shapes each time. For example: 1 dot, 2 dots, 3 dots, 4 dots — the number grows by 1.
Q5. Can patterns use colours instead of shapes?
Yes. Colour patterns repeat colours in order, like Red, Blue, Red, Blue. The rule is the same — find the repeating core.
Q6. Why are patterns important?
Patterns help us predict what comes next. They are used in maths, art, music, and nature. Recognising patterns builds strong thinking skills.
