Primary 5 · Mathematics · Number Patterns

Number Patterns questions for Primary 5 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.

  • Decreasing sequence
  • Decimal sequence
  • Fraction sequence
  • Square numbers
  • Finding a later term
  • Describing the rule
  • Missing middle term
  • Patterns in shapes
  • Multiplying pattern
0 of 10 answered
Question 1 of 10Decreasing sequence
2500, 2125, 1750, 1375, ?
Question 2 of 10Decimal sequence
0.4, 0.9, 1.4, 1.9, ?
Question 3 of 10Fraction sequence
1/8, 2/8, 3/8, 4/8, ?
Question 4 of 10Square numbers
1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ?
Question 5 of 10Finding a later term
5, 12, 19, 26, … What is the 12th number in this pattern?
Question 6 of 10Describing the rule
In the pattern 3, 7, 15, 31, …, what is the rule?
Question 7 of 10Decimal sequence
1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, ?
Question 8 of 10Missing middle term
1200, ?, 1500, 1650
Question 9 of 10Patterns in shapes
A pattern of triangles uses 3 sticks for 1 triangle, 5 for 2 in a row and 7 for 3. How many sticks are needed for 20 triangles?
Question 10 of 10Multiplying pattern
2, 6, 18, 54, ?
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. 2500, 2125, 1750, 1375, ?

    Answer: 1000

    Each number is 375 less than the one before, so 1375 − 375 = 1000.

  2. 0.4, 0.9, 1.4, 1.9, ?

    Answer: 2.4

    Each number is 0.5 more than the one before, so after 1.9 comes 2.4.

  3. 1/8, 2/8, 3/8, 4/8, ?

    Answer: 5/8

    The numerator goes up by 1 each time, so after 4/8 comes 5/8.

  4. 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ?

    Answer: 36

    These are the square numbers: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, then 6 × 6 = 36.

  5. 5, 12, 19, 26, … What is the 12th number in this pattern?

    Answer: 82

    The pattern adds 7, so the 12th number is 5 + 11 × 7 = 82.

  6. In the pattern 3, 7, 15, 31, …, what is the rule?

    Answer: double and add 1

    3 × 2 + 1 = 7, 7 × 2 + 1 = 15, and 15 × 2 + 1 = 31 — double and add 1.

  7. 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, ?

    Answer: 2.5

    Each number is 0.25 more, so after 2.25 comes 2.5.

  8. 1200, ?, 1500, 1650

    Answer: 1350

    The numbers rise by 150: 1200, 1350, 1500, 1650.

  9. A pattern of triangles uses 3 sticks for 1 triangle, 5 for 2 in a row and 7 for 3. How many sticks are needed for 20 triangles?

    Answer: 41

    After the first triangle, each new one adds 2 sticks: 3 + 19 × 2 = 41.

  10. 2, 6, 18, 54, ?

    Answer: 162

    Each number is 3 times the one before, so 54 × 3 = 162.