Why Do We Look for Patterns?
People have been looking for patterns for thousands of years. A pattern is something that repeats or follows a rule. When you notice a pattern, you can guess what will happen next!
Think about the weather. If it has been sunny every Monday for three weeks, you might predict next Monday will be sunny too. That is using a pattern to make a prediction — a smart guess about the future.
On the ISEE, you will see tables, lists, or charts with numbers. Your job is to find the pattern and use it to predict a missing or future value. Let's learn how!
Core Ideas About Patterns
Before we dive in, let's learn the key ideas you need. These are the building blocks for solving pattern problems on the ISEE.
What Is a Pattern?
What Is a Prediction?
Find the Rule First
Check Your Work
See the Pattern!
Let's look at a picture that shows how a pattern works. Imagine a student named Mia who reads books each week. Look at the bar chart below to see how many books she reads.
Do you see how the bars get taller by the same amount each time? That's the pattern! Each week goes up by 2. So from 8 in Week 4, we add 2 to predict 10 for Week 5. That's how predictions work!
How to Find the Rule
To make a prediction, you need to find the rule. Here are the most common types of rules you will see on the ISEE.
Sometimes a problem gives you a table instead of a list. Don't worry — the steps are the same. Look at how the numbers change from row to row. Find the rule, then use it to fill in the missing number.
Different Kinds of Data Patterns
On the ISEE, data can show up in different ways. Let's look at the main types of patterns you might see.
On the ISEE, adding and subtracting patterns are the most common. But keep your eyes open for multiplying patterns too. If the numbers are getting bigger really fast, that's a clue it might be a multiply pattern!
| Pattern Type | What to Look For | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Add | Same difference between each number | 3, 7, 11, 15 → add 4 |
| Subtract | Numbers get smaller by the same amount | 50, 45, 40, 35 → subtract 5 |
| Multiply | Numbers grow very quickly | 1, 3, 9, 27 → multiply by 3 |
| Two-step | The rule has two operations | 1, 3, 7, 13 → add 2, then 4, then 6 |
Let's Solve One Together!
Here is a problem like you might see on the ISEE. Let's work through it step by step.
ISEE Tips and Common Traps
Knowing the content is great, but the ISEE also tests how carefully you read. Let's look at smart strategies and common mistakes.
| Smart Strategy ✅ | Common Trap ❌ |
|---|---|
| Check the difference between every pair of numbers. | Only looking at the first two numbers and guessing. |
| Try adding, subtracting, and multiplying to find the rule. | Assuming the pattern is always adding. |
| Read the question carefully — does it ask for the next number or a later number? | Finding the next number when the question asks for a number further ahead. |
| Eliminate wrong answer choices by testing them. | Picking the first answer that looks close without checking. |
Patterns Lead to Bigger Ideas
The pattern skills you are learning now will help you with bigger math ideas later on. Let's see how this topic connects to things you'll learn in the future.
| What You Learn Now | What It Leads To Later |
|---|---|
| Adding the same number each time (e.g., +3) | In middle school, this is called a "linear pattern" or "arithmetic sequence." |
| Multiplying by the same number (e.g., ×2) | Later, this becomes "exponential growth" — like how bacteria multiply! |
| Reading tables and making predictions | This is the start of "data analysis" and graphing lines on a coordinate plane. |
| Finding a rule for a pattern | In algebra, you'll write rules as equations, like y = 3x + 1. |
You are building a strong foundation right now. Every time you find a pattern, you are training your brain to think like a mathematician. That's pretty awesome!
Practice Problems
Time to put your skills to the test! Try each problem on your own before reading the answer. Remember: find the rule, then make your prediction. You've got this!
Lesson Summary
A pattern is a rule that tells you how numbers change. To make a prediction, first read all the data, then find the change between each pair of numbers, and finally apply the rule to predict the next value. The three main pattern types are adding, subtracting, and multiplying.
Always check your work by making sure the rule works for every number in the data. Read the question carefully to see which value the question is really asking for. Use process of elimination to cross out wrong answer choices, and remember — there is no penalty for guessing on the ISEE, so always answer every question!