Understanding Repeating Patterns

Have you ever noticed the stripes on a zebra or the tiles on a floor? A pattern is something that happens over and over again in a specific order.

In math, a repeating pattern is a pattern that has a specific sequence of items (like colors, shapes, or numbers) that repeats in a cycle. The part of the pattern that repeats is called the core.

Types of Repeating Patterns

Patterns can be made out of almost anything! Here are a few common types you will see:

• Color Patterns: Red, Blue, Red, Blue, Red, Blue. (The repeating core is Red, Blue)
• Shape Patterns: Circle, Square, Triangle, Circle, Square, Triangle. (The repeating core is Circle, Square, Triangle)
• Number Patterns: $1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2$. (The repeating core is $1, 2$)

How to Find the Pattern Rule

To figure out a pattern, you need to find the rule. Ask yourself: "What is the group of items that keeps starting over?"

Let's look at this pattern: Apple, Banana, Apple, Banana, Apple, Banana.

The items are an Apple and a Banana. After the Banana, we see an Apple again. So, the rule is that the pattern repeats Apple, Banana.

Extending a Pattern

Once you know the rule, you can figure out what comes next! Let's try a few examples.

Example 1: What comes next? Circle, Square, Circle, Square, Circle, ___

1. Find the rule: The pattern is Circle, Square.
2. Look at the end: The last shape is a Circle.
3. Follow the rule: After a Circle comes a Square.
4. Answer: Square.

Example 2: Continue the pattern $1, 2, 1, 2, 1, \_\_\_$

1. Find the rule: The pattern is $1$, then $2$.
2. Look at the end: The last number is $1$.
3. Follow the rule: After $1$ comes $2$.
4. Answer: $2$.

Practice Time

Look around your room or outside. Can you find a repeating pattern? Try making your own repeating pattern using crayons, blocks, or even your favorite toys! Start with a simple rule, like "Car, Truck, Car, Truck," and see how long you can extend it.