Use a rule to complete a number sequence
Key Notes :
🌈 What is a Number Sequence?
- A number sequence is a list of numbers arranged in a specific order 📊
- The numbers follow a rule or pattern 🔁
🧠 What is a Rule?
A rule tells us how the numbers change from one term to the next ➡️
Common rules include:
- Add a number ➕
- Subtract a number ➖
- Multiply by a number ✖️
- Divide by a number ➗
🔍 How to Find the Rule
- Look at the numbers carefully 👀
- Find the difference between numbers (What is added or subtracted?) ➕➖
- Check if numbers are multiplied or divided ✖️➗
- Make sure the same rule works for all numbers ✅
🧩 Types of Number Sequences
- Increasing sequence: numbers go up ⬆️
- Decreasing sequence: numbers go down ⬇️
- Skip counting: count by 2s, 5s, 10s, etc. ⏭️
- Mixed patterns: more than one rule 🔀
✏️ Examples
- 2, 4, 6, 8, __
👉 Rule: Add 2 ➕ - 20, 15, 10, __
👉 Rule: Subtract 5 ➖ - 3, 6, 12, __
👉 Rule: Multiply by 2 ✖️
🎯 Steps to Complete a Sequence
- Find the rule 🔍
- Apply the rule to the last number ➡️
- Write the missing number ✏️
⭐ Helpful Tips
- Always check the pattern twice 🔁
- Use a number line if needed 📏
- Start with simple rules first 😊
🎉 Remember!
👉 Every number sequence has a rule
👉 Finding the rule makes completing the sequence easy and fun! 😄✨
Learn with an example
1)What is the next number in this pattern?
Rule: multiply by 4, then subtract 4
2, 4, 12, 44, …
Rule: multiply by 4, then subtract 4
Use the rule to find the next number in the pattern. Multiply 44 by 4, then subtract 4.
(44 × 4) − 4 = 172
The next number in the pattern is 172.
The pattern is:
2, 4, 12, 44, 172
2)What is the next number in this pattern?
Rule: multiply by 4, then subtract 2
1, 2, 6, 22, …
Rule: multiply by 4, then subtract 2
Use the rule to find the next number in the pattern. Multiply 22 by 4, then subtract 2.
(22 × 4) − 2 = 86
The next number in the pattern is 86.
The pattern is:
1, 2, 6, 22, 86
3)What is the next number in this pattern?
Rule: multiply by 2, then add 2
2, 6, 14, 30, 62, 126, …
Rule: multiply by 2, then add 2
Use the rule to find the next number in the pattern. Multiply 126 by 2, then add 2.
(126 × 2) + 2 = 254
The next number in the pattern is 254.
The pattern is:
2, 6, 14, 30, 62, 126, 254
Let’s practice!

