Dragon maths quest: patterns

Quick answer

Patterns are repeating or growing sequences that follow a rule, like red, blue, red, blue or 1, 2, 3, 4. You can find patterns in nature, music, art, and even in dragons' treasure hoards!

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to recognise, extend, and create simple repeating and growing patterns.

Success signs:

• You can spot a pattern in a sequence of objects or numbers
• You can continue a pattern by finding the rule
• You can make your own pattern using shapes, colours, or numbers
• You can explain what the pattern is and how it grows

Why this matters

Patterns help us understand the world around us. They make things easier to predict and remember. In Dragon maths quest, you'll use patterns to solve puzzles, find treasure, and make your way through the dragon's lair. Patterns also help in:

• Music and dance – rhythm is a pattern!
• Science – to see how things grow or change
• Art – to make beautiful designs
• Reading – to understand stories that repeat or grow
• Everyday life – like planning your day or counting your pocket money

How it works

Patterns are made up of things that repeat or grow in a certain way. Let's look at two types:

1. Repeating patterns – These are things that repeat over and over again, like a sequence of colours or shapes.
2. Growing patterns – These are patterns where something gets bigger or more each time, like how a dragon's scales grow in size or how a tower grows one block at a time.

Here's how to find a pattern:

1. Look at the first few items in the sequence
2. See what changes or stays the same
3. Find the rule – what comes next?
4. Use the rule to continue the pattern

Examples you can see

Repeating pattern example:

Imagine you're in a dragon's lair and you see this pattern of gems:

Red, Blue, Green, Red, Blue, Green, Red, Blue, ?

What comes next? The pattern is Red, Blue, Green and it repeats.

So the next gem is Green.

Growing pattern example:

Look at how the dragon's scales grow:

1 scale, 2 scales, 3 scales, 4 scales, ?

Each time, the number of scales increases by 1.

So the next number is 5 scales.

Visual pattern example:

Here's a pattern made of blocks:

Triangle, Square, Circle, Triangle, Square, Circle, Triangle, ?

This pattern repeats: Triangle, Square, Circle.

So the next shape is Circle.

Try it as a mini adventure

Dragon's Treasure Hunt Challenge!

You are on a quest to find the dragon's hidden treasure. To get to the treasure, you must solve a pattern puzzle. The dragon left you a trail of clues:

1. First clue: Fire, Water, Earth, Fire, Water, Earth, ?
2. Second clue: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, ?
3. Third clue: Red, Blue, Blue, Red, Blue, Blue, ?

What do you think the next items are?

First clue: This is a repeating pattern of Fire, Water, Earth. So the next one is Fire.

Second clue: This is a growing pattern of odd numbers. Each number increases by 2. So the next number is 11.

Third clue: This is a repeating pattern of Red, Blue, Blue. So the next one is Red.

You have solved the puzzle! The dragon is pleased and has given you a golden coin as a reward. You can now continue your quest to find the treasure!

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking that a pattern must always go up or get bigger.
  Why it happens: Children think that growing patterns must always be increasing.
  Fix: A pattern can go up, down, or even stay the same. For example, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1 is a repeating pattern.
• Mistake: Confusing the rule with the actual pattern.
  Why it happens: It's easy to get confused when the pattern is tricky.
  Fix: Always look at what comes next to find the rule, not just the pattern itself.
• Mistake: Not checking if the pattern continues correctly.
  Why it happens: Rushing through the pattern.
  Fix: Go through each step carefully and double-check your rule.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child understand patterns by:

• Pointing out patterns in everyday life – like the tiles on the floor or the rhythm in a song
• Playing pattern games together – like making a pattern with toys or drawing shapes
• Encouraging your child to explain their thinking – ask, “How did you know what comes next?”
• Using real objects like blocks, beads, or stickers to make patterns
• Noticing when your child makes mistakes and gently guiding them back to the correct rule

What to say:

• “What do you notice about the pattern?”
• “Can you find the rule?”
• “What would come next?”
• “Let’s check if the pattern works.”

What not to worry about:

• Your child might get confused at first – that's normal
• They might make mistakes – that's how they learn
• Patterns are not always easy – it's okay to take time

Practice questions

1. What comes next in the pattern: Red, Yellow, Blue, Red, Yellow, Blue, ?
   Answer: Red
2. Continue the pattern: 2, 4, 6, 8, ?
   Answer: 10
3. What is the next shape in this pattern: Circle, Square, Triangle, Circle, Square, Triangle, ?
   Answer: Circle
4. Complete the number pattern: 5, 10, 15, 20, ?
   Answer: 25
5. What comes next in this pattern: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, ?
   Answer: 11

FAQ

What is a pattern?

A pattern is a sequence of things that follow a rule. It can be repeating or growing.

How do I find the rule in a pattern?

Look at what changes or stays the same in each step. Then, use that to figure out what comes next.

Can patterns be in music or dance?

Yes! A beat in music or a dance move that repeats is a pattern.

Why are patterns important in maths?

Patterns help us understand how things change and grow. They help us solve problems and make predictions.

Can I make my own pattern?

Yes! You can make patterns with shapes, colours, numbers, or even sounds. Try it and see what you come up with!