Grade 3 · Math · Unit 6 of 10
Patterns & Equations
Pattern rules and mystery numbers
What your child practises
Extending increasing and decreasing patterns, describing pattern rules in words and tables, and solving one-step equations like ☐ + 8 = 23.
Saskatchewan Curriculum outcome: P3.1, P3.2 · increasing and decreasing patterns, and one-step equations
How we explain it
Children can open this short lesson before they practise.
- An equation has an = sign. Both sides are the same.
- A letter or box stands for a missing number.
- Do the opposite to find it: the opposite of + is −.
Example: n + 7 = 15 Undo + 7 by taking away 7. 15 − 7 = 8. Answer: n = 8
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 goes in the box?
74 − = 19
- 93
- 55
- 54
- 56
Show answer
55
Hint: What do you take away from 74 to leave 19? Count up from 19 to 74: 55.
Question 2
Follow the pattern. What number goes where the ? is?
Cars Wheels 1 4 2 8 3 12 4 16 5 ? answer box
Show answer
20
Hint: Each row has 4 more wheels. Keep adding 4: 16 → 20.
Question 3
What number goes in the box?
48 + = 57
- 9
- 10
- 8
- 105
Show answer
9
Hint: Count up from 48 to 57, or think 57 − 48 = 9.
Question 4
What number is missing from the pattern?
9, 13, , 21, 25
answer box
Show answer
17
Hint: The numbers go up by 4 each time. 13 + 4 = 17.
Question 5
Which pattern rule fits?
225, 200, 175, 150
- Start at 225 and subtract 50 each time
- Start at 225 and subtract 25 each time
- Start at 225 and add 25 each time
- Start at 200 and subtract 25 each time
Show answer
Start at 225 and subtract 25 each time
Hint: The pattern starts at 225. Then it changes by the same amount each time: 225 to 200 is −25.
Question 6
Which equation matches the story? The is the number we don't know.
Sofia had 97 marbles.
Sofia gave some to friends.
Now Sofia has 59.
- 97 − ☐ = 59
- ☐ − 97 = 59
- 97 + 59 = ☐
Show answer
97 − ☐ = 59
Hint: Sofia started with 97 and gave some away, leaving 59. So 97 − ☐ = 59.