A growing pattern is a sequence of quantities or shapes in which each term increases according to a consistent rule, commonly by adding the same small whole number; the rule can be represented and interpreted in diagrams, lists, or tables to determine later or missing terms. This understanding distinguishes growth from repetition and supports describing relationships between terms, while formal algebraic expressions, generalized nth-term rules, and more complex nonlinear growth are beyond this level.
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Detailed Explanation: Identify growing patterns
A growing pattern is a pattern in which the amount gets bigger each time by the same rule.
Example
Look at the number of tiles in each figure:
| Figure | Number of tiles |
|---|---|
| 1 | 4 |
| 2 | 7 |
| 3 | 10 |
| 4 | ? |
Step 1: Compare neighboring numbers
Find how much the pattern grows:
- From to : add
- From to : add
The pattern grows by each time.
Step 2: Continue the same rule
Start with and add :
So, Figure has tiles.
Step 3: Check the pattern
The numbers are:
Each number is more than the number before it. Therefore, this is a growing pattern, and the missing number is .
Learn by doing: Identify growing patterns
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Practice:
Patterning - Next in Growing Shape Pattern
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Download/Modify Free Grade 3 'Identify growing patterns' Worksheet
Print this free 'Identify growing patterns' worksheet to practice this skill away from the computer. Click 'Modify' to easily customize this worksheet to your exact needs.
This Worksheet Includes:
- Patterning - Next in Growing Shape Pattern
- Patterning - Rule for Increasing Arithmetic Pattern
- Patterning - Next in Increasing Arithmetic Number Pattern
- Patterning - Term Value for Increasing Arithmetic Pattern
- Patterning - Missing from Growing Shape Pattern
- Patterning - Concept Intro - (Arithmetic) - Term List to Picture
- Patterning - Missing from Increasing Arithmetic Number Pattern
- Patterning - Concept Intro - (Arithmetic) - Picture to Term List
Units Teaching This Skill
These adaptive units introduce, teach, or reinforce this skill (Identify growing patterns) through scaffolded problems that grow in difficulty as concepts are understood.