Max Maths, Year 5, Learn together, Number patterns (1)

In Year 5, students explore number patterns with a focus on counting forwards and backwards using a number line. This helps them understand numerical sequences and the concept of intervals. One of the exercises involves counting backwards in steps of 2, starting from 20 and going down to -20. This sequence demonstrates a consistent decrease by 2, showcasing an even number pattern that crosses the threshold from positive to negative numbers. The resulting pattern is 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 0, -2, -4, -6, -8, -10, -12, -14, -16, -18, -20, which is a straightforward linear descent on the number line.

Another activity encourages students to count in positive steps of 3, beginning from -20. This pattern ascends by threes, moving from negative to positive values and providing students with an example of increasing sequences. The numbers generated in this pattern are -20, -17, -14, -11, -8, -5, -2, 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19. Additionally, students practice counting backwards in steps of 5 from 36, resulting in a decreasing pattern that includes both positive and negative numbers: 36, 31, 26, 21, 16, 11, 6, 1, -4, -9, -14, -19. Finally, there is an exercise where students count forwards in steps of 7 from -28, creating an ascending sequence that highlights the multiples of 7: -28, -21, -14, -7, 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42. These activities are designed to enhance students' numerical fluency and their ability to recognize and create number patterns.