What is a number pattern?

A number pattern is a sequence of numbers that follows the same rule at every step, such as adding 3 each time. Once you know the rule, you can find the next number or fill in a missing one.

How do you find the rule in a number sequence?

Look at two numbers next to each other and check whether they go up or down. Work out the size of the jump between them, then test that same jump on the other pairs to confirm it holds across the whole sequence.

What is the difference between an adding pattern and a doubling pattern?

In an adding pattern the jump stays the same size, like 5, 8, 11 going up by 3. In a doubling pattern you multiply by 2 each step, so the numbers grow faster and the jumps keep getting bigger, like 3, 6, 12, 24.

What age or level is this for in Singapore schools?

Number patterns start in Primary 1 with skip-counting and continue through to Primary 5 and 6, where sequences lead into early algebra. The detective method here suits learners roughly aged 6 to 12.

What if the numbers in the sequence are getting smaller?

Then the rule is subtraction. Find how much the numbers drop each step — for example 20, 16, 12 goes down by 4 — and subtract that same amount again to get the next number.

Guess The Next Number

Math Interactive lesson Free to play

Number pattern sequences are ordered rows of numbers where each term follows the same fixed rule, so the next number can be worked out rather than guessed. Spotting the rule means looking at the 'jump' — the difference between one number and the next. When that jump stays the same, the pattern is an adding rule (2, 4, 6, 8 grows by 2) or a subtracting rule (20, 16, 12 shrinks by 4). When the jump itself keeps getting bigger, the rule may be multiplying, such as a doubling pattern (1, 2, 4, 8, ×2 each step).

In the Singapore primary syllabus, number patterns appear from P1 counting in steps through to P5–P6 work on sequences and the start of algebraic thinking. The core skill is a repeatable method: compare two neighbouring numbers, decide whether they go up or down, find the size of the jump, then apply that same rule once more. Mastering it builds number sense, mental calculation with addition, subtraction and times tables, and the habit of checking a rule against every pair before trusting it.

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What this Spark covers

Be a Number Detective

🔢🔍 Guess The Next Number Numbers love to follow secret rules. When you find the rule, you can guess what comes next — every time! 2 4 6 8 ? Can you already feel the next number? 😀 In this Spark you will learn the 3-step detective trick, then play a real "Guess the Next Number" game. Tap Next to begin!
Find the jump

Look at the jumps 👣 A number pattern is a row of numbers that change by the same rule each time. To find the rule, look at how big the jump between numbers is. Tap each arrow below to reveal the jump. 3 tap▶+5 8 tap▶+5 13 tap▶+5 18 Reveal all the jumps to see the rule… 🎉 Every jump is +5! So the rule is "add 5". The next number after 18 would be 23.
Adding patterns

Counting up ⬆️ When numbers keep getting bigger by the same jump, the rule is "add". Find the jump, then add it once more to get the next number. 5 8 11 14 ? The jump is the same each time. What comes next? 15 17 18 Trick: 8−5 = 3, so the rule is add 3. 14 + 3 = the answer!
Counting back

Counting down ⬇️ Patterns can also shrink. When the numbers get smaller by the same jump, the rule is "subtract". 20 16 12 ? −4−4−4 8 10 11 Each hop goes back 4: 20 → 16 → 12 → … Keep hopping!
Doubling patterns

The doubling pattern ✖️2 Not every pattern adds the same number. Some patterns double — you multiply by 2 each step. The jumps get bigger and bigger! Rule: ×2 (double it) 1 ? ? ? Double the next one ✨ We start at 1. Tap to build the pattern! 1 → 2 → 4 → 8 … each number is the one before, doubled. Patterns like this grow super fast!
The detective trick

The 3-step detective trick 🕵️ Use these three steps for any "Guess the Next Number" puzzle: 1️⃣ Look at two numbers next to each other. Did the number go up or down? 2️⃣ Find the jump. How much did it change? Check the next pair — is the jump the same? 3️⃣ Use the rule one more time on the last number to get your answer. 🎯 If the jumps are not the same, peek for a different rule — maybe it doubles, or the jump grows by 1 each time (like +1, +2, +3…). Ready? The next slide is a real detective game!
Pattern Detective game

Pattern Detective 🏆 Use the 3-step trick. Solve all 4 cases! Case 1/4 Solved: 0 Next case ▶ 🎉 Case closed, detective! Play again 🔁
You did it!

🌟🔢 You're a Number Detective! Here's everything you cracked today: 👣 A pattern follows the same rule each step. Find the jump between numbers. ⬆️ Add patterns get bigger; subtract patterns get smaller — by the same amount. ✖️ Some patterns double (×2) or grow by a changing jump — look closely! 🕵️ The trick: Look → Find the jump → Use the rule one more time. Try this anywhere: house numbers, clock times, even stairs! Numbers are full of secret patterns. Keep your detective eyes open. 🔍💜

Frequently asked questions

What is a number pattern?: A number pattern is a sequence of numbers that follows the same rule at every step, such as adding 3 each time. Once you know the rule, you can find the next number or fill in a missing one.
How do you find the rule in a number sequence?: Look at two numbers next to each other and check whether they go up or down. Work out the size of the jump between them, then test that same jump on the other pairs to confirm it holds across the whole sequence.
What is the difference between an adding pattern and a doubling pattern?: In an adding pattern the jump stays the same size, like 5, 8, 11 going up by 3. In a doubling pattern you multiply by 2 each step, so the numbers grow faster and the jumps keep getting bigger, like 3, 6, 12, 24.
What age or level is this for in Singapore schools?: Number patterns start in Primary 1 with skip-counting and continue through to Primary 5 and 6, where sequences lead into early algebra. The detective method here suits learners roughly aged 6 to 12.
What if the numbers in the sequence are getting smaller?: Then the rule is subtraction. Find how much the numbers drop each step — for example 20, 16, 12 goes down by 4 — and subtract that same amount again to get the next number.

Guess The Next Number

What this Spark covers

Frequently asked questions

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