Number Patterns Teaching Resources
Explore number patterns in your math classes this school year with fun worksheets, number sequence games and more teacher resources created to help your students understand how numbers in a sequence relate to one another.
Aligned with both TEKS and Common Core math standards, the printable and digital activities in this collection were created by the math teachers on the Teach Starter team to help you save time on your lesson plans.
Whether this is your first year teaching about number patterns or you're just looking for a little extra help, we've got you covered. Read on for a primer from our teacher team! We explain what number patterns are so you can share with your class, plus we explore three common patterns.
What Are Number Patterns? A Kid-Friendly Definition
A number pattern is a series of numbers that each follow the same rule. These patterns or sequences can help us find missing numbers or identify what number will come next in a series.
For example, let's say you are given the following list of numbers:
- 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
This is an example of a number pattern in which the next number in the series is 4 more than the previous number. Once you can identify the pattern in a series of numbers like this one, you can then use that pattern to determine what number comes next or even what numbers could have come before the list began.
This is one of the many reasons number patterns are an important part of building students' algebraic reasoning skills. They help students understand how numbers can be related to one another and apply what they know about those relationships to solve problems.
3 Common Types of Number Patterns
We can't talk about number patterns without breaking down the different types your students are going to encounter in their math journey!
Linear Patterns
Linear patterns are number patterns in which the numbers increase or decrease by the same amount each time.
The example used above — in which each number in the series increased by a quantity of 4 — is a simple example of a linear pattern.
Geometric Number Patterns
Another type of pattern students may have to contend with is the geometric number pattern. This type involves numbers that are multiplied or divided by a constant factor.
The multiplication table is an example of a geometric number pattern.
Recursive Patterns
Students will have to make full use of their understanding of the four whole number operations to work with recursive patterns. That's because this pattern involves finding each successive number in the sequence by performing a specific operation on the previous number(s).
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Prime and Composite Numbers Worksheet
A worksheet to practice the relationship between factors and prime and composite numbers.
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Find the Missing Value – Division Worksheet
Strengthen understanding of inverse operations by finding the missing value of each division equation.
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Thanksgiving Crafts – ABC and 123 Turkeys
A Thanksgiving activity for students to practice counting, skip counting, and the letters of the alphabet.
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Equations, Tables, and Graphs, Oh My! – Differentiated Worksheets
Use these differentiated worksheets to practice using equations to create patterns within input-output tables and graphs.
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Input-Output Tables & Graphing – Task Cards
Practice reading input-output tables and plotting points in the first quadrant with this set of task cards.
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Graphing Using Input-Output Tables – Differentiated Worksheets
Use data from input-output tables to graph points with this set of differentiated worksheets.
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Creating Ordered Pairs From Input-Output Tables – Worksheet
Create ordered pairs from an input-output table and determine the rule for each table with this worksheet.
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Additive & Multiplicative Patterns – Worksheet
Recognize the difference between additive and multiplicative numerical patterns given in a table or graph with this worksheet.
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Multiplicative & Additive Patterns – Match-Up
Practice identifying equations and finding unknown values in input-output tables with this match-up activity.
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Halloween Math Activity - Number Ordering Puzzles
Practice counting with a fun set of spook-tacular Halloween number puzzles!
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Snakes and Ladders Game - Hundreds Chart
Complete each hundreds chart by putting the missing numbered pieces into place to play a game of Snakes and Ladders.
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Match the Pairs - Easter Eggs
Match the pairs of Easter eggs and color their patterns in this fun and engaging Easter worksheet.
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100 Action Verbs
Practice counting to 100 by 1’s and 10’s with this set of 24 action cards that get students moving, reading, and writing.
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Roll and Color Worksheet for Ten More, Ten Less
Use this interactive worksheet to help students practice finding the number that is 10 more and 10 less than a given number.
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One More, One Less Board Game
Practice identifying one more and one less up to 6 with this board game.
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100 More , 100 Less Matching Game (Three-Digit Numbers)
Match 3-digit number cards to find pairs that are 100 more or 100 less of each other.
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What Comes Next? - Pattern Worksheet
Duplicate and extend simple shape patterns with this object sequencing worksheet.
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Ten More, Ten Less Match-Up - Two-Digit Numbers
Identify ten more or ten less of a given 2-digit number with this set of 36 match up cards
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Ten More, Ten Less Match-Up - Three-Digit Numbers
Identify ten more or ten less of a given 3-digit number with this set of 36 match up cards.
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Number Chart – 1-20
A bright number chart representing numbers 1-20.
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Color By Number - Mental Math Practice
A set of 5 color by number sheets that can be used to practice mental math.
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Ten More, Ten Less Worksheet
Practice or review adding and subtracting 10 from a given number.
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One More, One Less Worksheet
Practice foundational addition and subtraction facts using the concepts of one more and one less.
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Mini-Mystery – Who Pushed Humpty Dumpty?
A fun, logic-based activity where students read clues to solve the mystery.
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Complex Dot-to-dot – Skip Counting by Sevens (Wolf) – Worksheet
A complex dot-to-dot where students demonstrate skip counting by sevens.
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Complex Dot-to-dot – Prime Numbers (Gymnast) – Worksheet
A complex dot-to-dot where students demonstrate their knowledge of prime numbers.
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Complex Dot-to-Dot – Skip Counting by Threes (Castle) – Worksheet
A complex dot-to-dot where students demonstrate skip counting by threes.
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Complex Dot-to-dot – Skip Counting by Twos (Seahorses) – Worksheet
A complex dot-to-dot where students demonstrate skip counting by twos.
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Complex Dot-to-dot – Square Numbers (Skateboarder) – Worksheet
A complex dot-to-dot where students order square numbers.
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Three Bears Pattern Activity
A pattern worksheet using images of the bears from Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
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One More, One Less - Worksheet
Practice foundational addition and subtraction facts using the concepts of one more and one less.
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Number Talks - Number Pairs Task Cards
Build number sense skills with this set of 26 task cards.