A number pattern follows a rule: it goes up or down by the same amount each time. Spotting the rule is an early step toward algebra, and it makes skip counting and addition strategies much easier. On this grade 1 worksheet each line shows five numbers in a pattern with one missing, and your child works out how much the numbers change by and writes the missing one on the line.
Every pattern goes up by 1, 2, 5 or 10 from a friendly starting number such as 5, 10, 20 or 35. Support sheets use steps of 2, 5 and 10, standard sheets add steps of 1, and challenge sheets also count down. Ask your child to say how much the numbers change by from one to the next before filling in the gap.
What your child will learn
Find the rule in a number pattern
Count on or back by 1, 2, 5 or 10
Write the missing number in a pattern
Use a rule to check an answer
Common Core standard: 1.OA.C.5
Worked example
The pattern is 20, 25, ____, 35, 40. The numbers go up by 5 each time, so the missing number is 30.
Common mistake
Adding 1 to the last number instead of finding how much the pattern really changes by.
Helpful hint
Look at the first two numbers. How much did it change by? Use that for the gap.