Intermediate Test Prep Math 8 (Grades 6)Use and apply computation skills by describing and extending number patterns and sequences.

Numerical Patterns
Lesson
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A numerical pattern is a list of numbers that occur in some predictable way.

Numerical patterns can be used to describe real-world things, such as population growth.

Many patterns use addition and subtraction. To find the pattern, write the number that you need to add or subtract to find the next number in the pattern.

How to find a numerical pattern? First determine the pattern. Find the next three numbers in this pattern: 10, 15, 20, 25,...
Step 1	10	15	20	25
Determine the pattern
	+5		+5	+5
Step 2 Use the pattern to calculate the next three numbers.
Pattern: +5	25 + 5 = 30		30 + 5 = 35	35 + 5 = 40

Example

The following pattern uses addition, find the next three numbers.
1, 7, 13, 19, 25,...

	+6		+6		+6		+6
1		7		13		19		25
Write the number you must add to each number to get the next number. Use the pattern to calculate the next three numbers.
		+6		+6		+6
	25		31		37		43

Example

The following pattern uses subtraction, find the next three numbers.
15, 14, 13, 12, 11,...

	-1		-1		-1		-1
15		14		13		12		11
Write the number you must subtract to each number to get the next number. Use the pattern to calculate the next three numbers.
		-1		-1		-1
	11		10		9		8

Remember: To help you find the pattern, calculate the difference between successive numbers in a pattern.

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