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Identify repeating patterns

A repeating pattern consists of a fixed, smallest unit of elements—such as shapes, colors, symbols, or whole numbers—that recurs in the same order; identifying it includes determining where the unit begins and ends and using it to interpret subsequent terms. The pattern is distinguished from a growing pattern, and formal algebraic rules, variable-length periods, and periodic functions are not included.

Detailed Explanation: Identify repeating patterns

A repeating pattern has a small group of items that repeats in the same order. This group is called the repeating unit.

Look for the smallest group that starts the pattern and appears again and again.

Example:

△, □, ∘, △, □, ∘, △, □, ∘,…\triangle,\ \square,\ \circ,\ \triangle,\ \square,\ \circ,\ \triangle,\ \square,\ \circ,\ldots

Step 1: Find the group that repeats.

The first three shapes are:

△, □, ∘\triangle,\ \square,\ \circ

Check the next shapes. They are also:

△, □, ∘\triangle,\ \square,\ \circ

So the repeating unit is:

△, □, ∘\boxed{\triangle,\ \square,\ \circ}

Step 2: Use the unit to find the next shapes.

The pattern has just shown △,□,∘\triangle,\square,\circ three times. It starts over with △\triangle.

The next two shapes are:

△, □\boxed{\triangle,\ \square}

The shapes stay the same size and repeat in the same order. That makes this a repeating pattern, not a growing pattern.

Learn by doing: Identify repeating patterns

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    Patterning - Concept Intro (Repeating) - Picture to Term List

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