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🧩 4th grade math · Patterns & Algebra

Patterns from a rule

A rule says what to do to get the next number. Look at the first two numbers to find the rule.

Worked example

The rule is: add 2. The pattern starts at 12. What is the 5th number? 12, 14, 16, 18, ?
Answer: 20
Start at 12 and add 2 each time: 12, 14, 16, 18, 20. The 5th number is 20. Answer: 20.

For grown-ups: Generate and analyse number and shape patterns from a rule. Below: three problems to try with the worked answers, and a free printable sheet. Children can practise the same skill as a game, with no sign-up and no ads.

  • CCSS 4.OA.C.5
What this practises, for teachers

Practices generate and analyse number and shape patterns from a rule (4.OA.C.5). A printable sheet with its answer key, worked answers on the page, no accounts.

▶ Practise it

For your class

🖨️ Printable sheet and key

On the board with this skill:

Try three

  1. The rule is: add 8. The pattern starts at 16. What is the 5th number? 16, 24, 32, 40, ?
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: 48
    Start at 16 and add 8 each time: 16, 24, 32, 40, 48. The 5th number is 48. Answer: 48.
  2. The rule is: add 4. The pattern starts at 14. What is the 5th number? 14, 18, 22, 26, ?
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: 30
    Start at 14 and add 4 each time: 14, 18, 22, 26, 30. The 5th number is 30. Answer: 30.
  3. The rule is: multiply by 3. The pattern starts at 4. What is the 5th number? 4, 12, 36, 108, ?
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: 324
    Start at 4 and multiply by 3 each time: 4, 12, 36, 108, 324. The 5th number is 324. Answer: 324.

Before and after

Learn first: Patterns in times tables (3rd)

Name: ____________________Date: ____________Score: ____ / 12

Patterns from a rule (4th grade)

  1. The rule is: add 3. The pattern starts at 12. What is the 5th number? 12, 15, 18, 21, ?
  2. The rule is: add 5. The pattern starts at 9. What is the 5th number? 9, 14, 19, 24, ?
  3. The rule is: add 7. The pattern starts at 1. What is the 5th number? 1, 8, 15, 22, ?
  4. The rule is: add 8. The pattern starts at 6. What is the 5th number? 6, 14, 22, 30, ?
  5. The rule is: add 5. The pattern starts at 29. What is the 5th number? 29, 34, 39, 44, ?
  6. The rule is: add 7. The pattern starts at 30. What is the 5th number? 30, 37, 44, 51, ?
  7. The rule is: add 5. The pattern starts at 7. What is the 5th number? 7, 12, 17, 22, ?
  8. What is the rule for this pattern? 17, 30, 43, 56, 69
  9. The rule is: add 25. The pattern starts at 22. What is the 5th number? 22, 47, 72, 97, ?
  10. What is the rule for this pattern? 54, 49, 44, 39, 34
  11. What is the rule for this pattern? 8, 16, 24, 32, 40
  12. The rule is: add 16. The pattern starts at 20. What is the 5th number? 20, 36, 52, 68, ?

Answer key

  1. 24
  2. 29
  3. 29
  4. 38
  5. 49
  6. 58
  7. 27
  8. add 13
  9. 122
  10. subtract 5
  11. add 8
  12. 84

More 4th grade skills: all 4th grade math skills, or every grade at math skills.