Year 2 Maths Patterns & Algebra

Number Patterns

A number pattern is a sequence of numbers that follow a rule. Finding the rule lets you predict what comes next.

Each number is bigger than the last. We add the same amount each time.

2 +3 5 +3 8 +3 11

Rule: add 3 each time

Each number is smaller than the last. We subtract the same amount each time.

20 −4 16 −4 12 −4 8

Rule: subtract 4 each time

Skip counting creates patterns. These are useful for multiplication too!

2s: 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 ...

5s: 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 ...

10s: 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 ...

To find the rule, look at what changes between each number:

3, 6, 9, 12, ___

6 − 3 = 3, 9 − 6 = 3

Rule: add 3. Next: 15

Patterns on a Hundred Chart

Patterns look amazing on a hundred chart. The 5s column always ends in 0 or 5. The 2s column always ends in an even number.

2s (even) 5s

pattern — a sequence of numbers that follow a rule

rule — the instruction that tells us how to get from one number to the next

increasing — getting bigger (counting up)

decreasing — getting smaller (counting down)

✓A number pattern follows a rule. The rule tells you how to get from one number to the next.
✓Increasing patterns add the same number each time. Decreasing patterns subtract the same number.
✓To find the rule, subtract consecutive terms: e.g. 8 − 5 = 3, so the rule is +3.
✓Skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s are all number patterns we use every day.