Completing Patterns

The series which repeats itself after a fixed interval of time is known as a pattern. Completing patterns is an important concept and holds much scope in the question paper.

Introduction

Mathematics involves several numbers and their patterns. However, patterns can be of different types, apart from number patterns. Completing patterns is interesting once you understand the rhythm. But understanding that rhythm is not that easy. It comes with tricks and requires much practice. 

The main types of patterns include word patterns, number patterns, image patterns, logic patterns, and many more. Since kids are well-aware of the basic concepts like numbers, odd and even numbers, skip counting and so on. Therefore, number pattern is the most common type when it comes to completing patterns questions.

Some common definitions
Patterns: 

The sequence or series of a particular object that tends to repeat itself is called a pattern. If you notice carefully, we observe multiple types of patterns in our day to day life. If you start to check your current surroundings, you will end up observing many patterns related to objects, shapes, colours, etc. But, in mathematics, patterns are mostly related to numbers.

Sequence rule: 

Sequence rule is the rule after which a sequence repeats itself. However, the sequence rule is not constant for every pattern. Identifying sequence rules is the primary while solving completing Patterns examples. Each pattern has its sequence. As a result, every pattern comes with its sequence rule.

Number pattern: 

The pattern or sequence where numbers follow repetition is called a number pattern. It is the most common type of pattern in maths. Several other types of number patterns are given below:

Arithmetic pattern

It is also called an algebraic pattern. Here, the pattern is based either on addition or subtraction to form a pattern or sequence. 

Geometric pattern

These types of patterns or sequences are based on multiplication or division. The pattern tends to repeat after multiplying or dividing the previous number by the same digit.

Fibonacci pattern

Here, the next number pattern comes by the addition of two previous numbers in the series. 

Types of patterns

Although there are various types of patterns that are used. But in maths, we mainly discuss the three main types. They are as follows:

Repeating pattern

You might have understood by the name itself. The pattern that keeps repeating itself over and over again is called a repeating pattern.

Growing pattern

Suppose the sequence in the series keeps on increasing. To be precise, when the arrangement of the pattern or sequence is in ascending order, it is called a growing pattern.

Shirking pattern

It is antagonistic to the growing pattern. The pattern where the numbers or objects are arranged in descending order is called the shirking pattern.

Points to Remember (Short tricks)

When you come across pattern examples or completing pattern questions, then if you keep the following few points in mind, you will be able to solve every question correctly and within no time.

When we talk about number patterns, then this type is not restricted to a specific sequence. Completing patterns in numbers can be ascending, descending, multiples or dividends of a certain number, a series of odd and even numbers, and so on. The list can have many twists ahead. You need to think creatively while solving completing pattern examples for number patterns.

You should not study the topic as a part of your syllabus. Rather you should learn it by examining and analysing the patterns around you. This will help you to become more creative and enhance your rational skills. If you make learning this chapter fun, solving completing patterns examples will also become fun.

As mentioned earlier, patterns can have a wide range of varieties. They are not just restricted to numbers. They can be various shapes, colours, themes, objects and whatnot.

To obtain arithmetic or algebraic patterns, you need to add or subtract a specific number from the previous number in the series.

Similarly, to obtain a geometric pattern, you need to multiply or divide a specific number from the previous number in the series.

Conclusion

Completing Patterns is a very important topic for competitive exams. Since it’s a very interesting topic to study, which is also related to our day to day surroundings, once you start to identify patterns, your brain starts to function in the same direction, and you can practise hundreds of completing Patterns examples without even touching the book. But once you’re in the practice of solving patterns, make sure to practise multiple examples and questions to maintain fluency in the examination. The aptitude section is full of completing Patterns questions.