Number Patterns Teaching Resources
Explore number patterns in your math classes this school year with fun worksheets, number sequence games and more teacher resources created to help your students understand how numbers in a sequence relate to one another.
Aligned with both TEKS and Common Core math standards, the printable and digital activities in this collection were created by the math teachers on the Teach Starter team to help you save time on your lesson plans.
Whether this is your first year teaching about number patterns or you're just looking for a little extra help, we've got you covered. Read on for a primer from our teacher team! We explain what number patterns are so you can share with your class, plus we explore three common patterns.
What Are Number Patterns? A Kid-Friendly Definition
A number pattern is a series of numbers that each follow the same rule. These patterns or sequences can help us find missing numbers or identify what number will come next in a series.
For example, let's say you are given the following list of numbers:
- 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
This is an example of a number pattern in which the next number in the series is 4 more than the previous number. Once you can identify the pattern in a series of numbers like this one, you can then use that pattern to determine what number comes next or even what numbers could have come before the list began.
This is one of the many reasons number patterns are an important part of building students' algebraic reasoning skills. They help students understand how numbers can be related to one another and apply what they know about those relationships to solve problems.
3 Common Types of Number Patterns
We can't talk about number patterns without breaking down the different types your students are going to encounter in their math journey!
Linear Patterns
Linear patterns are number patterns in which the numbers increase or decrease by the same amount each time.
The example used above — in which each number in the series increased by a quantity of 4 — is a simple example of a linear pattern.
Geometric Number Patterns
Another type of pattern students may have to contend with is the geometric number pattern. This type involves numbers that are multiplied or divided by a constant factor.
The multiplication table is an example of a geometric number pattern.
Recursive Patterns
Students will have to make full use of their understanding of the four whole number operations to work with recursive patterns. That's because this pattern involves finding each successive number in the sequence by performing a specific operation on the previous number(s).
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Counting Mixed Coins Differentiated Worksheets
Download differentiated printable worksheets and use skip counting and addition skills to determine the value of each coin collection.
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Pattern Activity Cards - Fruit
A set of 12 repeating pattern activity cards.
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Number Pattern Task Cards – Addition and Subtraction
Practice identifying the rules of patterns, determining missing numbers, and interpreting word problems with this set of 36 task cards.
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Prime & Composite Numbers – Task Cards
Demonstrate an understanding of prime and composite numbers with this set of 24 task cards.
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Graphing Numerical Equations – Google Slides Interactive Activity
Recognize and analyze patterns in graphs, input-output tables, and equations with this interactive activity.
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Roll to Create a Strip Diagram
A roll to create template for students to use when learning to use strip diagrams.
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Emoji Equation Riddles - Determine the Unknown
Build problem-solving and critical thinking skills with printable Emoji Math Riddle task cards.
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Mini-Mystery – Who Pushed Humpty Dumpty?
A fun, logic-based activity where students read clues to solve the mystery.
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Odd and Even Properties Student Cheat Sheet
Help students remember the properties of odd and even numbers with this student cheat sheet.
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Prime and Composite Number Sort
Identify prime and composite numbers by sorting 30 number cards into their proper category.
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Graphing Using Input-Output Tables – Differentiated Worksheets
Use data from input-output tables to graph points with this set of differentiated worksheets.
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100 Chart Missing Numbers
Practice counting forward beginning from a given number with this set of 100 charts and recording sheets.
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Find and Color: Prime and Composite Numbers Worksheet
Encourage your students to identify prime and composite numbers up to 100 with this free find and color worksheet.
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Odd and Even Numbers Sorting Activity
Identify and sort 2- and 3-digit numbers into odd and even categories.
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5th Grade Math Review – Test Prep Packet
Encourage your students to work through 8 pages of 5th-grade math problems while charting their progress to measure their success.
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Differentiated Number Pattern Worksheets
Practice completing number patterns and determining their rules with this set of differentiated worksheets.
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Naming Number Patterns – Board Game
Identify the rule or missing numbers from an input-output table, number sequence, or word problem with this number patterns board game.
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Factor Trees Worksheet Set
Print a free factor trees worksheet set for 5th or 6th graders to practice prime factorization.
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Odd and Even Patterns in Multiplication Task Cards
Help your students discover patterns in odd and even numbers in multiplication products with this set of task cards.
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Printable Skip Counting Worksheets and Charts
Practice and review skip counting by 2,3,4,5,and 10 with a pack of printable skip counting worksheets and anchor charts.
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Identifying Prime & Composite Numbers – Worksheet
Use understanding of factors to identify composite and prime numbers with this worksheet.
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Prime and Composite Numbers Worksheet
A worksheet to practice the relationship between factors and prime and composite numbers.
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Equations, Tables, and Graphs, Oh My! – Differentiated Worksheets
Use these differentiated worksheets to practice using equations to create patterns within input-output tables and graphs.
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Input-Output Tables & Graphing – Task Cards
Practice reading input-output tables and plotting points in the first quadrant with this set of task cards.
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Rolling for Cash — Printable Counting Coins Game
Print a customizable money game for kids that requires addition and skip counting skills to count coins.
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Simple Connect the Dots Worksheets - Counting By Ones
Download fun connect the dots printable worksheets to use when learning to count by 1s.
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Skipping Through 120 - Worksheet
A worksheet to practice skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s.
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Skip Counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s PowerPoint
A 28-page editable PowerPoint to use in the classroom when introducing skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s.
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Missing Values Number Chart - 1–120
A black and white chart representing numbers 1-120.
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Divisible by 2 Maze Worksheets
Help students practice determining if a number is divisible by 2 with this fun set of maze worksheets.
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Roll to 100 Odd and Even Game
Create a fun math station with this roll to 100 game where students show their knowledge of odd and even numbers up to 100.
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Odd and Even Properties Slides and Ladders
Practice determining odd and even results of sums with this fun Slides and Ladders Game.
- Number Patterns Worksheets
- Number Patterns Games
- Number Patterns Posters
- Number Patterns Templates
- Number Patterns for Pre-K
- Number Patterns for Kindergarten
- Number Patterns for 1st Grade
- Number Patterns for 2nd Grade
- Number Patterns for 3rd Grade
- Number Patterns for 4th Grade
- Number Patterns for 5th Grade
- Number Patterns for 6th Grade