A verbal pattern rule explains how terms in a sequence or outputs in an input–output relationship are generated, using precise language about operations, quantities, and their order. At this level, rules may describe constant additive or multiplicative changes and relationships involving whole numbers, integers, fractions, or decimals; the rule must distinguish the term’s position or input from its value, preparing for algebraic expressions and equations.
A pattern rule in words tells exactly how to get a value from its input or position. Be clear about:
Example
| Input | Output |
|---|---|
Step 1: Compare the outputs.
The outputs increase by each time:
This suggests that the input is being multiplied by , because the output changes by groups of .
Step 2: Test multiplying the input by .
These results are all more than the actual outputs. So subtract .
Step 3: State the rule in the correct order.
The rule is:
Multiply the input by , then subtract to get the output.
Step 4: Check the rule.
For an input of :
The output is , which matches the table.
The input is the number you start with, and the output is the value you get. The rule can also be written symbolically as
but the verbal rule explains the operations in words.
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