This guide supports the play with patterns worksheet for Class 3 on this page. It covers what a pattern is, repeating patterns of shapes and colours, number patterns that go up or down, finding the rule, skip counting patterns, growing patterns made of matchsticks, word and object patterns, finding the odd one out and finding the 8th or 10th item of a repeating pattern. It follows the Class 3 maths patterns chapter taught in CBSE and NCERT style classrooms. Use it with the printable patterns worksheet for Class 3, the patterns Class 3 quiz and the 15 patterns Class 3 activities above.

Patterns Class 3 resources on this page

• Patterns worksheet for Class 3: a printable 5-page PDF with number patterns, shape patterns, colour patterns, word patterns and object patterns.
• Patterns Class 3 quiz: a free 20-question online quiz with easy, average and thinking questions, pictures and instant marks.
• Patterns Class 3 activities: 15 free online activities, made of 5 games, 5 workshops and 5 challenges, with marks and a comment after the challenges.
• Play with patterns Class 3 practice: number patterns, shape patterns, colour patterns and growing patterns in one place.

What is a pattern?

A pattern is a set of numbers, shapes, colours, words or objects that repeat or change in a regular way. Every pattern follows a rule. When you know the rule, you can say what comes next.

Repeating patterns of shapes and colours

In a repeating pattern, a small part called the core repeats again and again. In circle, square, circle, square the core is circle, square. In triangle, triangle, square, triangle, triangle, square the core is triangle, triangle, square. To continue the pattern, find the core and keep repeating it.

Number patterns

A number pattern is a list of numbers that follows a rule. In 2, 4, 6, 8 each number is 2 more than the one before, so the rule is add 2. In 50, 45, 40, 35 each number is 5 less, so the rule is subtract 5. To find the rule, subtract one number from the next and check the other pairs.

Increasing and decreasing patterns

An increasing pattern goes up, such as 10, 20, 30, 40. A decreasing pattern goes down, such as 100, 92, 84, 76. Both can be described with a rule such as add 10 or subtract 8.

Skip counting patterns

Skip counting means counting in jumps. Counting in 3s gives 3, 6, 9, 12. Counting in 5s gives 5, 10, 15, 20. These are the times tables, so the 10th number in the pattern of 3s is 3 × 10 = 30.

Growing patterns with matchsticks

In a growing pattern each step adds the same amount. One square needs 4 sticks. Each new square joined on needs 3 more sticks, so 2 squares use 7 sticks, 3 squares use 10 sticks and 4 squares use 13 sticks. A row of triangles starts with 3 sticks and each new triangle adds 2 more sticks.

Word and object patterns

Words, letters and objects can make patterns too. The days of the week, the months of the year and the letters A, C, E, G, I follow rules. Cat, dog, cat, dog repeats in 2s.

Finding the odd one out

If one item breaks the rule, it is the odd one out. In 5, 10, 15, 21, 25, the rule is add 5, so 21 should be 20. Find the rule from the first two numbers and then check each one.

Finding the 8th or 10th item of a repeating pattern

Count the items in the core, then divide the place by that number. For circle, square, triangle the core has 3 items. For the 8th shape, 8 ÷ 3 = 2 remainder 2, so the 8th shape is the 2nd one in the core, a square. If there is no remainder, the shape is the last one in the core.

Solved examples

Common mistakes

Patterns in daily life

Patterns are all around us: the days of the week, the stripes on a zebra crossing, tiles on a floor, rangoli designs, beads in a necklace and the times tables. Asking your child to spot patterns at home helps them see that maths is everywhere.

What your child learns from the patterns worksheet for Class 3, the patterns Class 3 quiz and patterns Class 3 activities

• Spotting and continuing number patterns
• Spotting and continuing shape and colour patterns
• Finding the rule of a pattern
• Skip counting patterns and increasing or decreasing patterns
• Growing patterns made of matchsticks and dots
• Word and object patterns
• Finding the odd one out
• Finding a later item of a repeating pattern

Tips for parents and teachers

Use beads, buttons or coloured blocks at home to make patterns and ask your child to continue them. Say the pattern aloud as you build it. Use the printable PDF worksheet for written practice and the online activities for quick revision. Revisit the common mistakes table when you see the same error twice.