top of page

Functional Skills Mathematics

(Entry Level 3)

​

Topic 2: Number patterns

Calculator
tick%25203_edited_edited.png
Calculator
cross_edited.png

For these questions, you need to identify the pattern, and then continue it.

​

Look at this number pattern:

​

406, 410, 414, .... , ....

​

The first thing to notice is that the numbers are getting bigger each time, so this is an addition pattern.

​

Next you need to work out how much is being added each time. This is an add 4 pattern.

​

So by adding 4 you can work out the next two numbers in the pattern:

​

406, 410, 414, 418, 422

​

​

​

Here is another number pattern:

​

259, 256, 253, .... , ....

​

This time the numbers are getting smaller each time, so this is a subtraction pattern.

​

Next you need to work out how much is being subtracted each time. This is a subtract 3 pattern.

​

So by subtracting 3 you can work out the next two numbers in the pattern:

​

259, 256, 253, 250, 247

​

​

If you are not sure how much is being added or subtracted in a pattern, you can find out by calculating the difference between any two numbers that are next to each other.

​

Difference is calculated by subtracting the smaller number from the bigger one.

​

Look at this pattern:

​

3 900,  4 500,  5 100,  .... ,  ....

​

4 500 - 3 900 gives you the difference.

​

4 500 - 3 900 = 600

​

The pattern is an addition pattern (the numbers are getting bigger), so you add on 600 each time to complete it.

​

3 900,  4 500,  5 100,  5 700,  6 300

​

​

bottom of page