Adding patterns

In an adding pattern, the same number is added (or taken away) each time.

• 7, 12, 17, 22: add 5 each time, so next is 27.
• The nth term = first + (n − 1) × difference.
• If the differences themselves grow steadily (5, 10, 15), look at the second differences.

Example: 3, 7, 11, 15, ... difference 4. 10th term = 3 + 9 × 4 = 39.

Remember: Write the differences between neighbours first.

Common mistake: Guessing from the first two numbers only. Check the pattern across all of them.