Most students have worked with identifying patterns of shapes in previous years. In fourth grade, we focus on patterns of numbers. I tell them to use "ladder patterns" to work the "steps" out (are we going up or down the ladder). We also use and fill in function tables where students need to recognize the pattern in order to fill in the missing numbers. There are practice problems, word problems, and an answer key provided below the video lesson for this skill.

Sample Word Problems:

1. A box of 6 muffins costs $3.50. A box of 12 muffins costs $6.00. A box of 18 muffins costs $8.50. If the pattern continues, how much would a box of 30 muffins cost? 

2. Halley's Comet passed by the Earth in 1833, 1909, and 1985. In what year will the comet pass by the Earth again?

3. The houses on Rita's street are numbered 222, 224, 226, 228, and so on. Rita lives in the seventh house. What is the number of her house?

4. Tom has a total of 15 dimes and nickels. He places all the coins in this pattern: dime, nickel, dime, nickel, and so on. How many nickels does Tom have?

5. Seth plants 100 flowering plants in rows. The first row has 30 flowering plants. The second row has 25 plants. The third row has 20 plants. How many rows can Seth make before his plants are used up? How many plants will he use in each row?