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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Counting Mixed Coins Differentiated Worksheets
Download differentiated printable worksheets and use skip counting and addition skills to determine the value of each coin collection.
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Ada Lovelace - Cut and Paste Shapes and Patterns Activity
Explore shapes and patterns with the female programmer, Ada Lovelace, with this cut-and-paste activity for young students.
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Race to 100 Odd and Even Game
Create a fun math station with this roll to 100 game where students show their knowledge of odd and even numbers up to 100.
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Number Pattern Task Cards – Addition and Subtraction
Practice identifying the rules of patterns, determining missing numbers, and interpreting word problems with this set of 36 task cards.
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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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5th Grade Math Review – Test Prep Packet
Encourage your students to work through 8 pages of 5th-grade math problems while charting their progress to measure their success.
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Writing Equations From Word Problems – Differentiated Digital & Printable Worksheets
Practice writing equations from word problems with this set of differentiated worksheets.
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Ten More, Ten Less Dominoes
Practice adding ten more or subtracting ten from a particular number with a set of 27 dominoes.
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Missing Values Number Chart - 1–120
A black and white chart representing numbers 1-120.
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Prime & Composite Numbers – Task Cards
Demonstrate an understanding of prime and composite numbers with this set of 24 task cards.
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Equation Match-Up!
Match word problems, equations, and visual models with this match-up activity.
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Factor Trees Worksheet Set
Print a free factor trees worksheet set for 5th or 6th graders to practice prime factorization.
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Black and White Number Chart 1–120
A black and white number chart showing the numbers 1-120.
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Repeating Patterns Task Cards
Practice recognizing, copying, and describing different repeating patterns using pony beads and our set of 30 Repeating Patterns Task Cards.
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Input/Output Games — "Under the Sea" Board Game
Play input/output games like our “Under the Sea” board game to engage your students as they learn about algebraic patterns.
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Blank Input Output Tables Template Set
Grab this blank input output tables template set to create a wide variety of function table activities that will have your students thinking algebraically.
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Graphing Numerical Equations – Google Slides Interactive Activity
Recognize and analyze patterns in graphs, input-output tables, and equations with this interactive activity.
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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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Rolling to 100 Board Game
Practice counting to 100 by 1's with this interactive hundreds chart board game for multiple players.
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1-100 Number Chart
Count by 1’s with your students by arranging number tiles 1-100.
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Plus One and Minus One Math Machine Worksheet
A worksheet to practice generating a number that is one more than or one less than another number.
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Skip Counting Robot Worksheets - 2s, 5s, and 10s
A set of 4 robot-themed worksheets for students to practice skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s.
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Ten in the Bed - Counting Activity
A fun, hands-on number rhyme activity to help students sequence numbers and count forward and backward from 1–10.
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Input Output Tables Worksheet Set
Provide this input output tables worksheet set to your students to give them practice identifying and extending number patterns using all four operations.
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Function Machine Matching Game
Match input/output tables to their rules in this function machine game with an engaging robot theme.
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6th Grade Algebra Worksheets
Share these 6th grade algebra worksheets with your students to level up their skills in identifying and extending number patterns.
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Number Grid Game — Interactive Activity
Share this number grid game with your students to give them practice adding and subtracting ten and one from a given number.
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Ordering Numbers Game (Numbers 1 - 10)
Play this ordering numbers game for a fun way to increase student skill in ordering numbers 1 - 10.
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Odd and Even Properties Poster Set
Teach students about the different properties of odd and even numbers when adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing.
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Odd and Even Properties Worksheet
Predict and confirm if the product of adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing sums is odd or even.
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2nd Grade 'I Spy' Odd and Even Number Worksheet
Practice determining odd and even numbers of objects with this fun scavenger hunt worksheet.
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Skip Counting Exit Tickets
Assess student understanding of skip counting within 1000 by 5s 10s and 100s.
- Number Patterns Worksheets
- Number Patterns Games
- Number Patterns Posters
- Number Patterns Templates
- Number Patterns for Pre-K
- Number Patterns for Kindergarten
- Number Patterns for 1st Grade
- Number Patterns for 2nd Grade
- Number Patterns for 3rd Grade
- Number Patterns for 4th Grade
- Number Patterns for 5th Grade
- Number Patterns for 6th Grade