PATTERNS How to Determine a Number Pattern: How to find a missing number in a sequence • Determine if the order of numbers is ascending (getting larger in value) or descending (becoming smaller in value). • Find the difference between numbers that are next to each other. • Use the difference between numbers to find the missing number. Example: Find the missing number: 30, 23, _?_ , 9 • The order of numbers is going down or descending. • The difference between numbers is 30 - 23 = 7 • Since the order is descending subtract 7 from 23. The missing number may be 16. • The missing number is 16 since it is 7 more than the last number 9. Try this! Find the missing number: 40, 32, 24, ____, 8 Find the missing number: 72, 63, 67, 58, ____, 53 © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted for the purchaser to print copies for non-commercial educational purposes only. Visit us at www.NewPathLearning.com.