Grade 4 · Math · Unit 7 of 12
Patterns & Tables
Growing and shrinking patterns
What your child practises
Extending increasing and decreasing number patterns, naming pattern rules, finding rules in input/output tables, and describing how two quantities are related.
BC Curriculum learning standard: Increasing and decreasing patterns, using tables and charts; algebraic relationships among quantities
How we explain it
Children can open this short lesson before they practise.
- A table lists each step and its number.
- Find how much the numbers change each step.
- Use that rule to carry on the pattern.
Example: A pattern starts at 4 and adds 3 each time. What is the 5th number? 4, 7, 10, 13, 16. The 5th number is 16. Answer: 16
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
What number is missing?
125, 100, , 50, 25
- 85
- 76
- 65
- 75
Show answer
75
Hint: The pattern goes down by 25 each time. 100 − 25 = 75.
Question 2
Which rule turns each In number into its Out number?
In Out 1 4 3 6 7 10 9 12 - Subtract 1
- Multiply by 3
- Multiply by 4
- Add 3
Show answer
Add 3
Hint: Test a rule on every row, not just the first one. A rule that works for 1 → 4 might not work for 3 → 6.
Question 3
What number comes next?
508, 433, 358, 283,
- 133
- 208
- 218
- 358
Show answer
208
Hint: Find the change from one number to the next: 508 to 433 is −75. Do the same to 283.
Question 4
What is the pattern rule?
251, 201, 151, 101
- Start at 251. Add 50 each time.
- Start at 201. Subtract 50 each time.
- Start at 251. Subtract 51 each time.
- Start at 251. Subtract 50 each time.
Show answer
Start at 251. Subtract 50 each time.
Hint: A pattern rule tells the first number and how it changes. 251 to 201 goes down by 50.
Question 5
For every 1 table, there are 4 chairs. How many chairs are there for 8 tables?
🪑answer box
Show answer
32
Hint: Each table adds 4 chairs. Multiply: 8 × 4.
Question 6
Zoe reads the same number of pages every day. How many pages will be left after day 5?
Day Pages left 0 55 1 45 2 35 3 25 - 15
- 25
- 6
- 5
Show answer
5
Hint: The number goes down by 10 each day. Keep subtracting 10 until you reach day 5.