Printable Number Patterns Worksheets
Number pattern worksheets help 1st through 5th grade students find missing terms in increasing and decreasing sequences. These printable practice pages feature step-by-step tracks, rule boxes, and full answer keys.
Targeted Practice by Skill
About Number Patterns
What this skill is
A number pattern is a sequence of numbers created by following a specific mathematical rule, such as adding a constant value (+3), subtracting (-5), or multiplying (x2).
When children learn it
Simple skip-counting patterns begin in 1st grade. Identifying arithmetic and geometric sequences and stating their rules is taught in 3rd through 5th grade (CCSS 4.OA.C.5).
Teaching Tips
- Have your child write small curved jump arrows between consecutive numbers: above each arrow, write the change (like "+4"). If every arrow says "+4", they have verified the rule before filling in the blanks.
Common Mistakes
- Checking the difference between only the first two numbers and assuming the rule applies without testing subsequent pairs.
- Failing to notice when a pattern switches from increasing to decreasing.
- Making simple calculation errors when adding or subtracting the step amount.