Puzzle Mania: Mixed Math Patterns

Essential Questions

3
15
12

6
9

WHICH
NUMBER(S)/SHAPE
COMPLETE PATTERNS?
HOW DOES
IDENTIFYING
BEGINNING PATTERNS
HELP WITH FINISHING
PATTERNS?

Key Learning Areas

Problem Solving and
Reasoning

Concepts Taught
Math Patterns

Target Age
9-11 Year Olds

Duration
1 x 60 minute Session

Learning Intention / Overview

This activity will allow students to develop an understanding of
math patterns. Identifying patterns also builds number sense
including skip counting, mental math, and problem solving. A
pattern can be any arrangement of things in math such as
numbers or geometric shapes that are repeated in an orderly
recognizable manner.

You will need:

Interactive
Board/Overhead
Projector, Pencil, and
Pattern Sheets

Methods / Teaching Strategies

Individual Task
Group Practice
Personalized Learning

Assessment of Learning

Pattern Group Work

Pattern Sheet
Individualized Learning (Student Choice Patterns)

How might you customize or alter this lesson?

Online Resources:
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Teaching Instructions
1. Begin by discussing what a pattern is. Ask student volunteers to put into words a
definition for pattern.
Things that are arranged following a rule or rules.
A list of numbers/shapes that follow a certain sequence that is identifiable.
2. Use the interactive board/overhead etc. to complete the group work sheet for oral
class practice. (provided)
3. Discuss how students can figure out patterns.

Look at two corresponding numbers to see if you can figure out the
difference, sum, or multiple of them. Apply the rule that you suspect and
see if the pattern can be completed.
Use mental math to try adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing
numbers. If that doesnt work then try multiples, factors, etc.
If geometric shapes are used look for visual cues to what is being
repeated.

Once students seem to understand patterns.

4. Distribute the pattern handout for students to complete independently.

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1. 4, 8, ____, _____, ____, 24, 28

2. 2, 4, 8, _____, _____, _____, 128

3.
_______ ______
4.
_____ _____ _____

5.
10

30

______ ______

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1. 4, 8, _12_, _16__, _20 , 24, 28 (skip counting by fours)

2. 2, 4, 8, _16_, _32_, __64_, 128 (multiplying by 2)

3.
____ _______
(finish the patterns numbers 3 and 4)
4.

______

_____

5. (multiply by 3)

10

30

90

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270

______

3
15

Mixed Patterns

12

Math Practice

Study each group of patterns below. Identify the pattern/rule being

used and complete each pattern.

1. 8,___ , 24, ___ , ___ , 48

Rule: _______________________________________
2. 25, 22, ____, ____, 13, 10, ____
Rule: _______________________________________
3. 81, ____, 9, ____, 1
Rule: _______________________________________
4. 10, 16, 21, 17, ____
Rule: _______________________________________
5. 3, 6 6, 12, ____, ____ 12, 24, ____, ____
Rule: ________________________________________
6. Finish the pattern

Rule: _________________________________________
7. 99, 88, 77, ____, ____, ____, 33
Rule: _________________________________________
8. 10, 18, 9, 17, ____, ____, ____, ____ , 6, 14
Rule: __________________________________________
CHALLENGE: Fill in the boxes with numbers 2 to 10 so that each row,
column, and diagonal adds up to 18. HINT: only use each number once. (

9. Write your own pattern of numbers or shapes below. Explain the

pattern.
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Mixed Patterns Math Practice

Answer Key
1. 8, 16 , 24, 32 , 40 , 48
Rule: multiples of 8, skip counting by 8
2. 25, 22, 19, 16, 13, 10, 7
Rule: subtract by 3
3. 81, 27, 9, 3, 1
Rule: divide by 3
4. 10, 16, 21, 17, 13
Rule: add 6, add 5, add 4, add 3
5. 3, 6 6, 12, 9, 18, 12, 24, 15, 30
Rule: first blank is adding three and the second blank is multiplying
by 2(2 patterns)
6.

Rule: each shape is in patterns of doubles that repeats

7. 99, 88, 77, 66, 55, 44, 33
Rule: subtract 11 each time
8. 10, 18, 9, 17, 8, 16, 7, 15 , 6, 14Rule: two patterns of subtracting 1
from the first and second numbers
9. CHALLENGE: Fill in the boxes with numbers 2 to 10 so that each row, column,
and diagonal adds up to 18. HINT: only use each number once. (always put 6 in
the middle when using the numbers 2-10)

9
4
5

2
6
10

7
8
3

10.Write your own pattern of numbers below. Explain the pattern.

(Answers will vary)

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