Lesson 1.7: Number Patterns – Repeating, Increasing, Decreasing & Fractions | SEA Mathematics | My Carib Academy
SEA 2025-2028 Framework Aligned

🔢 Lesson 1.7: Number Patterns

Master repeating, increasing, decreasing patterns with whole numbers, fractions and square numbers. This lesson covers SEA Mathematics Objectives 34-37 from the Number Strand.

55 Minutes
Module 1: Number
Objectives 34-37
3 Videos
Lesson Progress 0%

Previous Lesson

Did you complete Lesson 1.6? Review Word Problems →

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Identify and extend repeating patterns (Objective 34)
  • Identify and extend increasing and decreasing patterns (Objective 35)
  • Find missing terms in patterns with fractions (Objective 36)
  • Identify and extend patterns with square numbers (Objective 37)
  • Describe the rule for a given pattern

SEA Tip

Pattern questions appear in Section I and II of the SEA Math paper. These are often easy marks if you know the rules! (SEA Framework Page 21-22)

Watch: Number Patterns

Start by watching this video to learn about repeating, increasing and decreasing patterns. Take notes as you watch! 📝

Number Patterns – Mathematics Video Lesson

Quick Check

Did you understand the video? Review the notes below before continuing! ✅

Repeating, Increasing & Decreasing Patterns

Patterns are sequences of numbers that follow a specific rule. Let’s learn the three main types!

🔑 Three Types of Patterns:

Pattern Types

  1. Repeating Patterns: Numbers or shapes that repeat in a cycle (e.g., 2, 4, 2, 4, 2, 4…)
  2. Increasing Patterns: Numbers that get larger each time (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20…)
  3. Decreasing Patterns: Numbers that get smaller each time (e.g., 100, 90, 80, 70…)

📊 Example 1: Repeating Pattern

Find the Next 3 Terms

Pattern: 3, 6, 3, 6, 3, 6, ___, ___, ___

Solution:

  1. Identify the rule: Numbers alternate between 3 and 6
  2. Continue the pattern: 3, 6, 3, 6, 3, 6, 3, 6, 3

Answer: 3, 6, 3

📊 Example 2: Increasing Pattern

Find the Rule and Next Terms

Pattern: 7, 14, 21, 28, ___, ___

Solution:

  1. Find the rule: Each number increases by 7 (7×1, 7×2, 7×3, 7×4…)
  2. Continue the pattern: 28 + 7 = 35, 35 + 7 = 42

Answer: 35, 42 (Rule: Add 7 or Multiply by 7)

📊 Example 3: Decreasing Pattern

Find the Missing Terms

Pattern: 80, 72, 64, 56, ___, ___

Solution:

  1. Find the rule: Each number decreases by 8
  2. Continue the pattern: 56 − 8 = 48, 48 − 8 = 40

Answer: 48, 40 (Rule: Subtract 8)

Common Mistake

Always check more than 2 terms before deciding the rule! Sometimes patterns look similar but have different rules.

Watch: Patterns with Fractions

Now watch this video to learn how to find patterns with fractions. Pay attention to numerators and denominators! 🎯

Patterns with Fractions – Mathematics Video Lesson

Patterns with Fractions

Fraction patterns work the same way as whole number patterns. Look at the numerators and denominators separately!

📋 How to Solve Fraction Patterns:

Step-by-Step Method
  1. Look at the numerators (top numbers) – do they follow a pattern?
  2. Look at the denominators (bottom numbers) – do they follow a pattern?
  3. Find the rule for each part
  4. Apply the rule to find missing terms

📊 Example 4: Fraction Pattern

Find the Next 2 Terms

Pattern: 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, ___, ___

Solution:

  1. Numerators: 1, 2, 3, 4… (increasing by 1)
  2. Denominators: 4, 4, 4, 4… (staying the same)
  3. Next terms: 5/4, 6/4

Answer: 5/4, 6/4 (or 1¼, 1½)

📊 Example 5: Fraction Pattern

Find the Missing Term

Pattern: 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, ___, 1/32

Solution:

  1. Numerators: 1, 1, 1, ?, 1 (staying the same)
  2. Denominators: 2, 4, 8, ?, 32 (doubling each time: ×2)
  3. Missing denominator: 8 × 2 = 16

Answer: 1/16

Watch: Square Number Patterns

Watch this video to learn about square number patterns. Remember your square numbers from Lesson 1.2! 💪

Square Number Patterns – Mathematics Video Lesson

Square Number Patterns

Square numbers are numbers multiplied by themselves (1², 2², 3²…). These often appear in patterns!

🔑 Remember Your Square Numbers:

Square Numbers 1-12
Number Square Calculation
1 1 1 × 1 = 1
2 4 2 × 2 = 4
3 9 3 × 3 = 9
4 16 4 × 4 = 16
5 25 5 × 5 = 25
6 36 6 × 6 = 36

📊 Example 6: Square Number Pattern

Identify the Pattern

Pattern: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ___, ___

Solution:

  1. Recognize: These are square numbers!
  2. Identify: 1², 2², 3², 4², 5²…
  3. Next terms: 6² = 36, 7² = 49

Answer: 36, 49

📊 Example 7: Square Number Pattern

Find the Rule

Pattern: 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, ___

Solution:

  1. Recognize: These are square numbers starting from 2²
  2. Identify: 2², 3², 4², 5², 6²…
  3. Next term: 7² = 49

Answer: 49 (Rule: Square numbers starting from 2)

Quick Tip

If you memorize square numbers 1-12 (from Lesson 1.2), pattern questions become MUCH easier! 📇

Quick Quiz

Test your understanding! Select an answer for each question. 🔢

6 Questions
12 Minutes
70% to Pass

1. What are the next 2 terms? 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, ___

2. What is the rule? 100, 90, 80, 70, 60…

3. What is the missing term? 1/3, 2/3, 3/3, ___, 5/3

4. What comes next? 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ___

5. What is the rule? 2, 4, 8, 16, 32…

6. What is 8² (8 squared)?

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Lesson Complete!

Great job finishing Lesson 1.7! You’re mastering number patterns for the SEA exam! 🎉

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