Number sequences

key notes :

What is a Number Sequence?

A number sequence is a list of numbers that follow a pattern.
Each number in the sequence is called a term.

🟢 Example:
2, 4, 6, 8, 10 → This is a number sequence (pattern: +2)

🎯 Learning Goal:

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
✅ Identify number patterns
✅ Complete number sequences
✅ Create their own number sequences

🔢 Types of Number Sequences

1. Increasing Sequence

👉 Numbers go up by a certain value
🧮 Example: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 (counting by 5s)

2. Decreasing Sequence

👉 Numbers go down by a certain value
🧮 Example: 30, 25, 20, 15, 10 (counting back by 5s)

3. Skip Counting Sequence

👉 Jump in 2s, 3s, 4s, etc.
🧮 Example: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 (by 3s)

4. Mixed or Pattern Sequences

👉 Follow a special pattern
🧮 Example: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 (each number × 2)

🔍 How to Find the Rule?

✅ Step 1: Look at how the numbers are changing
✅ Step 2: Check if it’s adding, subtracting, multiplying
✅ Step 3: Use the rule to find the next number

🧩 Examples

1. 6, 12, 18, __, __
   ✅ Rule: Add 6
   ✅ Answer: 24, 30
2. 50, 45, __, 35, __
   ✅ Rule: Subtract 5
   ✅ Answer: 40, 30
3. 2, 4, 6, 8, __
   ✅ Rule: Add 2
   ✅ Answer: 10
4. 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, __
   ✅ Rule: Multiply by
   ✅ Answer: 32

🎨 Visual Support – Number Line

plaintextCopyEditNumber line for +3:
0---3---6---9---12---15---18

Each jump = 3

🖐️ Practice Activity

Fill in the blanks:

1. 4, 8, 12, ___, ___
   ✅ Answer: 16, 20
2. 100, 90, 80, ___, ___
   ✅ Answer: 70, 60
3. 7, 14, ___, 28, ___
   ✅ Answer: 21, 35

🧠 Create Your Own Sequence!

Ask students to:

• Choose a number to start
• Pick a rule (+, –, ×)
• Write the first 5 terms of the sequence

Example:
Start at 3, add 4
👉 3, 7, 11, 15, 19

🏠 Home Activity

🧩 Look for number patterns at home:

• Elevator buttons
• Calendar dates
• Table numbers
  Write any 3 number sequences you see!

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Learn with an example

Let’s practice!