Two-Step Patterns
11+ Maths, topic 7.4.1
Two-Step Pattern Sequences
Sometimes, you'll need to identify a two-step pattern. This means that the difference between numbers is not just a multiplication, division, addition or subtraction, but a combination of these things.
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Example sequence
Identify the two steps
- This sequence follows the rule ‘multiply by 2 and subtract 1’.
Work out the next number
- The next number in the sequence will be (17 × 2) − 1.
- 17 × 2 = 34
- 34 − 1 = 33
Work out the next number
- The next number in the sequence will be (33 × 2) − 1.
- 33 × 2 = 66
- 66 − 1 = 65
Test yourself on Two-Step Patterns
What's the rule for this two-step pattern sequence?
8, 5, 3.5, 2.75...What's the rule for this two-step pattern sequence?
16, 22, 34, 58...What's the rule for this two-step pattern sequence?
35, 108, 327, 984...What's the rule for this two-step pattern sequence?
7, 19, 43, 91...