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Extend repeating patterns

The learner identifies the smallest repeating unit in a sequence of familiar objects, shapes, colors, or small whole numbers and uses its order to determine what comes next and what is missing. This reasoning distinguishes a repeating pattern, such as AB, AAB, or ABC, from a pattern that grows or changes, without requiring symbolic rules, general-term notation, or more complex numerical sequences.

Detailed Explanation: Extend repeating patterns

Look for a small group that repeats in the same order.

Example:

red, blue, blue, red, blue, __, red

  1. Find the group that starts the pattern:
    red, blue, blue

  2. Check that this group repeats:
    red, blue, blue | red, blue, __ | red

  3. The group is red, blue, blue, so after red and blue comes blue.

  4. Fill in the missing color:

red, blue, blue, red, blue, blue, red

The missing color is blue.

Learn by doing: Extend repeating patterns

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Patterning - Missing from 4 Item Repeating Shape Pattern


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