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Grade 8 Number Patterns Quiz 1

Recognising, Describing and Extending Patterns

What this quiz covers

grade8_patterns_quiz1 draws its questions at random from a bank of 10 questions, with full worked solutions for every one.


Worked examples

A few of the question types, with full solutions, so you know what to expect.

What is the constant difference in the sequence \(12;\ 17;\ 22;\ 27;\ \ldots\)?

  1. \(+5\)
  2. \(+4\)
  3. \(+7\)
  4. \(\times 5\)

Answer: \(+5\)

\(17-12=5,\quad 22-17=5,\quad 27-22=5\)

\(\text{The same number is added each time.}\)

Find the next three terms: \(4;\ 1;\ -2;\ -5;\ \ldots\)

  1. \(-8;\ -11;\ -14\)
  2. \(-7;\ -9;\ -11\)
  3. \(8;\ 11;\ 14\)
  4. \(-8;\ -12;\ -16\)

Answer: \(-8;\ -11;\ -14\)

\(1-4=-3\text{, so the constant difference is } -3\)

\(-5-3=-8,\quad -8-3=-11,\quad -11-3=-14\)

What is the constant ratio in the sequence \(3;\ 9;\ 27;\ 81;\ \ldots\)?

  1. 3
  2. 6
  3. 9
  4. \(+6\)

Answer: 3

\(9\div3=3,\quad 27\div9=3,\quad 81\div27=3\)

\(\text{Each term is multiplied by the same number.}\)

Find the next three terms: \(160;\ 80;\ 40;\ 20;\ \ldots\)

  1. \(10;\ 5;\ 2.5\)
  2. \(10;\ 5;\ 0\)
  3. \(15;\ 10;\ 5\)
  4. \(0;\ -20;\ -40\)

Answer: \(10;\ 5;\ 2.5\)

\(\text{The constant ratio is } \tfrac{1}{2} \text{ (divide by 2 each time).}\)

\(20\div2=10,\quad 10\div2=5,\quad 5\div2=2.5\)

Which best describes the sequence \(1;\ 4;\ 9;\ 16;\ 25;\ \ldots\)?

  1. Square numbers
  2. Constant difference of 3
  3. Constant ratio of 4
  4. Cube numbers

Answer: Square numbers

\(1^2=1,\quad 2^2=4,\quad 3^2=9,\quad 4^2=16,\quad 5^2=25\)

\(\text{The differences } (3,5,7,9) \text{ are not constant.}\)