Number Patterns and Number Lines
Grade 2 · Math · Study Guide
Explore how numbers follow rules and how to use number lines to find patterns.
A number pattern is a list of numbers that follows a rule. The rule tells you how to get from one number to the next. For example, 5, 10, 15, 20 follows the rule 'add 5.' You can use a number line to see these jumps visually.
A number line is a straight line with numbers placed in equal spaces. Numbers get bigger as you move to the right and smaller as you move to the left. You can use number lines to count up, count back, or find missing numbers in a pattern.
To find a missing number in a pattern, first figure out the rule. Look at two numbers in a row and find the difference. For example, in 3, 6, 9, ___, the rule is 'add 3' so the missing number is 12. Always double-check your rule with at least two pairs of numbers to make sure it holds!
| Pattern | Rule | Next two numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 2, 4, 6, 8 | Add 2 | 10, 12 |
| 25, 20, 15, 10 | Subtract 5 | 5, 0 |
| 1, 4, 7, 10 | Add 3 | 13, 16 |
Key terms
- Pattern
- A sequence of numbers that follows a rule
- Rule
- The operation (like add 2 or subtract 5) that creates a pattern
- Number line
- A line with equally spaced numbers used to count, add, and subtract
- Sequence
- Numbers listed in a specific order following a rule
Flashcards
- What is a number pattern?
- Numbers in a sequence that follow a rule (like add 3 or subtract 2)
- What is a number line?
- A line with equally spaced numbers, used for counting and computing
- How do you find the rule of a pattern?
- Find the difference between two numbers in a row and check it with another pair
- Pattern rule: 3, 6, 9, 12
- Add 3 each time
- Pattern rule: 30, 25, 20, 15
- Subtract 5 each time
- On a number line, which direction is bigger?
- Right — numbers increase as you move right
Practice questions
What is the rule for this pattern? 4, 8, 12, 16
- Add 2
- Add 4
- Add 3
- Add 5
Show answer
Answer: Add 4
4 to 8 is +4, 8 to 12 is +4, 12 to 16 is +4.
What is the missing number? 10, 20, ___, 40
Show answer
Answer: 30
The rule is add 10: 10, 20, 30, 40.
On a number line, numbers get smaller as you move to the right.
Show answer
Answer: False
Numbers get larger moving right on a number line.
The pattern is 50, 45, 40, 35. What is the rule?
- Add 5
- Subtract 5
- Add 10
- Subtract 10
Show answer
Answer: Subtract 5
50 - 5 = 45, 45 - 5 = 40, and so on.
What comes next? 1, 3, 5, 7, ___
Show answer
Answer: 9
The rule is add 2: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9.
Fun facts
- Nature loves patterns too — sunflower seeds, pinecones, and even our fingerprints follow mathematical patterns!
- The number line was invented over 300 years ago and mathematicians still use it every day.
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