Mathematics
Grade 3
15 min
Skip-counting puzzles
Skip-counting puzzles
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the rule (e.g., counting by 3s, 5s, or 10s) in a given number sequence.
Find and fill in missing numbers in a forward skip-counting puzzle.
Find and fill in missing numbers in a backward skip-counting puzzle.
Determine the rule of a sequence by finding the difference between two consecutive numbers.
Explain the connection between skip-counting and multiplication facts.
Create their own simple skip-counting puzzle for a partner to solve.
Can you crack the code and find the next number in this secret pattern: 7, 14, 21, __? 🕵️♂️
In this lesson, we will become number detectives and learn how to solve skip-counting puzzles! You will learn to find the secret rule in a number pattern and use it to fill in the missing pieces. This is a super fun way t...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Skip-CountingCounting numbers by a number other than 1. It's like taking bigger jumps along the number line.Counting by 5s: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25...
SequenceA list of numbers that follow a specific order or pattern.The list 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 is a sequence.
PatternSomething that repeats over and over again in a predictable way. In math, it's the secret rule of a sequence.In the sequence 3, 6, 9, 12, the pattern is 'add 3'.
RuleThe specific action you do to get from one number to the next in a sequence.For 50, 45, 40, 35... the rule is 'subtract 5'.
IntervalThe difference, or the size of the 'jump', between two numbers next to each other in a sequence.In the sequence 10, 20, 30, the interval is 10.
Missing NumberA blank space or unknown...
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Core Formulas
Finding the Rule
Rule = \text{Second Number} - \text{First Number}
To find the secret rule of a puzzle, take any two numbers that are next to each other and find the difference. This tells you the size of the jump.
Finding the Next Number (Counting Forward)
\text{Next Number} = \text{Current Number} + \text{Rule}
When the numbers are getting bigger, add the rule to the last known number to find the next one.
Finding the Next Number (Counting Backward)
\text{Next Number} = \text{Current Number} - \text{Rule}
When the numbers are getting smaller, subtract the rule from the last known number to find the next one.
4 more steps in this tutorial
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Challenging
Pattern X starts at 2 and counts by 3s. Pattern Y starts at 4 and counts by 2s. What is the first number greater than 4 that appears in BOTH patterns?
A.6
B.8
C.12
D.10
Challenging
A rabbit starts at 0 and hops forward, skip-counting by 10s. It makes 5 hops. Then, from where it lands, it makes 2 hops backward, skip-counting by 4s. Where does the rabbit end up?
A.42
B.58
C.30
D.50
Challenging
A skip-counting pattern starts at 8 and adds 9 each time. What will the 10th number in this pattern be?
A.90
B.98
C.89
D.80
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