Recognising, describing, and continuing number sequences including adding/subtracting a constant, doubling, halving, and multiplication patterns.
Where your child meets this in real life: Predicting future values, understanding growth patterns, or solving puzzles
SEAGReady breaks number sequences into 3 steps, taught in order so each skill builds on the last.
Continue sequences that count in multiples of 2-10 (e.g., 3, 6, 9, 12...)
Recognize and continue sequences with any constant difference, including subtraction (e.g., 8, 13, 18 or 50, 43, 36)
Recognize and continue sequences based on multiplication or division (e.g., 2, 4, 8, 16 or 80, 40, 20)
Three free sample questions from our number sequences course. Every question comes with a full explanation, and hints that guide without giving the answer away.
Declan is counting in fives. His count goes: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___. What number comes next?
Answer: A. 25
This sequence counts in multiples of 5. Each jump is +5: 5 to 10, 10 to 15, 15 to 20. So the next number is 20 + 5 = 25.
Stuck? Start here: Look at the gap between each number. What are you adding each time?
Conor is saving money. His totals are: 47p, 54p, 61p, 68p, ___. How much will he have next if the pattern continues?
Answer: A. 75p
Find the common difference: 54 - 47 = 7 61 - 54 = 7 68 - 61 = 7 The pattern is +7 each time. Next term: 68 + 7 = 75p.
Stuck? Start here: Find the gap between the first two numbers. 54 - 47 = ?
Caitlin folds paper and counts the layers: 2, 4, 8, 16, ___. How many layers after the next fold?
Answer: D. 32
Check if this is adding: 4 - 2 = 2, 8 - 4 = 4, 16 - 8 = 8 Differences are NOT the same, so not adding. Check if this is multiplying: 4 / 2 = 2, 8 / 4 = 2, 16 / 8 = 2 Each term is multiplied by 2 (doubled). Next term: 16 x 2 = 32.
Stuck? Start here: Are you adding the same number each time, or is something else happening?
This is the exact interactive worked example your child sees in SEAGReady. Step through it and watch the method build up.
Cian is counting coins into piles of 5. His count goes: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___
What number comes next in the sequence?
5, 10, 15, 20, ___
Step 1 of 3
Cian is counting coins into piles of 5. His count goes: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___
What number comes next in the sequence?
The next number in the sequence is 25.
The key insight: Counting in multiples is just adding the same number each time - like your times tables!
Watch out: Adding different amounts each time. In a multiples pattern, the gap between terms stays the same.
These are the misconceptions we see most often in number sequences, including the ones our practice questions are specifically designed to catch.
Struggling with number sequences? The real gap is often in one of these earlier topics.
SEAGReady finds the exact step where your child gets stuck, teaches it with worked examples like the one above, and brings it back for review so it sticks.