Exploring number patterns

  • {2}, {6}, {10}, {14} {...} is a number pattern that follows the rule 'add {4}'.

The next number is 14 + 4 = 18

  • {81}, {27}, {9}, {3} {...} is a number pattern that follows the rule 'divide by {3}'.

The next number is 3 \div 3 = 1

  • {5}, {8}, {14}, {23} {...} is a number pattern that follows the rule 'add {3}, add {6}, add {9} {...}'.

The next number is 23+12=35

Each number in a number pattern is called a term. So in the number pattern {2}, {6}, {10}, {14} {...} the first term is {2}, the second term is {6} and the third term is {10}, etc.

Question

Write down the rule and the next two terms in the number pattern: 2, 4, 8, {16} {...} and then check your answer.

The rule is 'multiply by {2}' and the next {2} terms are 32 and 64.

Notice how patterns change from one term to another. Work out the rule that will get you from the {1}^{st} term to the {2}^{nd} term, and then check that the same rule will get you from the {2}^{nd} term to the {3}^{rd} term.

If it doesn't work, find a different rule to get to the {2}^{nd} number and then check that it gets you to the {3}^{rd} number.