Primary 3 · Mathematics · Number Patterns

Number Patterns questions for Primary 3 Maths

10 questions to work through online. Answer and you get the working straight away, then a score at the end. No sign-up, and you can retake it as often as you like.

  • Continuing a sequence
  • Doubling pattern
  • Decreasing sequence
  • Missing middle term
  • Finding a later term
  • Odd one out
  • Describing the rule
0 of 10 answered
Question 1 of 10Continuing a sequence
5, 10, 15, 20, ?
Question 2 of 10Doubling pattern
3, 6, 12, 24, ?
Question 3 of 10Decreasing sequence
100, 92, 84, 76, ?
Question 4 of 10Continuing a sequence
7, 14, 21, 28, ?
Question 5 of 10Missing middle term
12, ?, 20, 24
Question 6 of 10Finding a later term
4, 8, 12, 16, … What is the 8th number in this pattern?
Question 7 of 10Decreasing sequence
45, 40, 35, ?
Question 8 of 10Odd one out
Which of these numbers does not belong in the pattern 6, 12, 18, …?
Question 9 of 10Continuing a sequence
15, 24, 33, ?
Question 10 of 10Describing the rule
In the pattern 2, 9, 16, 23, …, how much is added each time?
Answers and explanations for all 10 questions

Every answer with the reasoning behind it. Worth reading after you have tried the set — or on its own, if you are a parent marking it.

  1. 5, 10, 15, 20, ?

    Answer: 25

    The numbers go up by 5 each time, so after 20 comes 25.

  2. 3, 6, 12, 24, ?

    Answer: 48

    Each number is double the one before, so after 24 comes 48.

  3. 100, 92, 84, 76, ?

    Answer: 68

    Each number is 8 less than the one before, so after 76 comes 68.

  4. 7, 14, 21, 28, ?

    Answer: 35

    This is the 7 times table, so after 28 comes 35.

  5. 12, ?, 20, 24

    Answer: 16

    The numbers rise by 4 each time: 12, 16, 20, 24.

  6. 4, 8, 12, 16, … What is the 8th number in this pattern?

    Answer: 32

    The pattern is the 4 times table, so the 8th number is 8 × 4 = 32.

  7. 45, 40, 35, ?

    Answer: 30

    Each number is 5 less than the one before, so after 35 comes 30.

  8. Which of these numbers does not belong in the pattern 6, 12, 18, …?

    Answer: 25

    The pattern counts up in 6s, and 25 is not in the 6 times table.

  9. 15, 24, 33, ?

    Answer: 42

    Each number is 9 more than the one before, so after 33 comes 42.

  10. In the pattern 2, 9, 16, 23, …, how much is added each time?

    Answer: 7

    9 − 2 = 7, 16 − 9 = 7 and 23 − 16 = 7, so 7 is added each time.