Look at the gap between neighbouring numbers. Keep adding that same amount to continue the pattern. If the numbers get smaller, take the jump away. A pattern can start on any number: counting in tens from 3 gives 3, 13, 23, 33, where the ones digit stays the same.
Explore this idea with maths tools
Maths you can move
Build 8 + 5
Tap two gold counters to fill the ten-frame.
8 in the frame + 5 waiting. The total stays the same.
Words to know
- skip count
- count forwards or backwards in equal jumps
- pattern
- numbers that follow the same rule
Worked examples
5, 10, 15, ?
- 1.Each jump adds five.
- 2.15 + 5 = 20.
= 20
50, 45, 40, ?
- 1.The numbers get smaller. Each jump takes away five.
- 2.40 − 5 = 35.
= 35
13, 23, 33, ?
- 1.Each jump adds ten, so the ones digit stays 3.
- 2.33 + 10 = 43.
= 43
For parents
Method: Equal jumps
What to say: How big is each jump? Is the pattern getting bigger or smaller?
Common mistakes:
- Continues the pattern by counting on (or back) one instead of the pattern's jump.
- Jumps twice, skipping over the next number in the pattern.
- Counts up when the pattern is counting down.
- When the pattern starts off a multiple, jumps to the familiar multiple instead (e.g. 13, 23, 33 → 40).