How it works
Follow the rule to write the next terms. Then look for what the rule never said.
Start at 23 and take away 2: 21, 19, 17. Every term is odd.
Say why: taking away an even number keeps an odd number odd.
Worked examples
Run the rule
- Start at 23. Subtract 2. Write the next three terms.
- Subtract 2 each time.
- 23 − 2 = 21, 21 − 2 = 19, 19 − 2 = 17.
- So the answer is (21, 19, 17).
Spot something
- Start at 7 and add 2: 7, 9, 11, 13.
- Every term is odd.
- Adding 2, an even number, keeps an odd number odd.
Will it be there?
- Start at 47. Add 2. Will 75 be in the pattern?
- The rule is add 2 from 47, and every term is odd.
- 75 is odd, so it can be reached.
- So the answer is Yes. Every term is odd, and 75 is odd..
A taste of the worksheet
These are the first problems of set A. The printable sheet has many more, with an answer key.
- The rule is add 4. What number comes next? ___
- The rule is subtract 3. Fill the next number in the pattern: 29, 26, 23, ___
- The rule is multiply by 2. What number comes next? 3, 6, 12, ___