What comes next?
Strategy card
Patterns repeat or grow by the same step.
- Step 1: Say the pattern out loud.
- Step 2: Find the chunk that repeats, or what changes each time.
- Step 3: Use the same change one more time.
- Step 4: Check: does your answer fit the whole pattern?
Tip: Cover the answers and guess first, then look.
Worked example
Which figure comes next in the pattern?
- A: 4 purple hearts
- B: 3 purple hearts
- C: purple heart
- D: 2 purple hearts (the answer)
Why: One more shape each step (then it starts again at one). So next comes the 2 purple hearts.
Your turn
Your turn 1 of 3
Which figure comes next in the pattern?
Your turn 2 of 3
Which figure comes next in the pattern?
Your turn 3 of 3
Which figure comes next in the pattern?
Keep practicing
Grown-ups: Ask: "What is the rule? How do you know?" Parent guide
Next lesson: Analogies: find the link