A pattern rule describes the consistent relationship that generates successive terms in a whole-number sequence or successive elements in a growing or repeating shape pattern, using words, tables, or simple operations such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing by a fixed whole number. The rule supports finding missing terms and predicting later terms while distinguishing the rule from merely naming the next term; formal variables, equations, and more complex generalized rules are beyond this scope.
A pattern rule tells how to get from one term to the next. It is more than just naming the next number.
Example:
Find the missing terms and describe the rule.
Step 1: Compare neighboring terms.
The same change happens each time.
Step 2: State the rule.
The rule is: add to get the next term.
Step 3: Use the rule to find the missing terms.
So the completed pattern is
The pattern rule is add each time, and the next term after would be .
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