Arithmetic patterns

Arithmetic patterns

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
Further Resources
This task is about identifying patterns and writing the next two equations.

Look at the patterns below.

For each one write down the next 2 equations in the spaces provided.

 

a)
10 - 1
 
100 - 1
 
1 000 - 1
 
________________________
 
________________________
  
=   9
 
=   99
 
=   999
 
=   __________
 
=   __________
 
 
b)
1
 
10 + 1
 
100 + 10 + 1
 
________________________
 
________________________
  
=   1
 
=   11
 
=   111
 
=   __________
 
=   __________
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pen and paper only.
Level:
3
Curriculum info: 
Maths, Number and Algebra, Patterns and relationships
Keywords: 
equations, number patterns, addition, subtraction, properties of one
Description of task: 
Students identify patterns and use these to write the next two entries in a series of subtraction, multiplication and addition equations.
Learning Progression Frameworks
This resource can provide evidence of learning associated with
Patterns and relationships, sets 4-5
within the Mathematics Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Read more about the Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Answers/responses: 
 

Y6 (12/1997)
a) 10 000 - 1 = 9 999
100 000 - 1 = 99 999		 moderate
b) 1 000 + 100 + 10 + 1 = 1111
10 000 + 1 000 + 100 + 10 + 1 = 11 111		 difficult
Diagnostic and formative information: 
  Student response Likely misconception
c) 1 000 + 10 + 1
10 000 + 10 + 1, etc.		 Includes only some of the elements of the series.