Look at a saree border or a rangoli design. You will see the same design repeating again and again. That is a pattern! Patterns are all around us — in nature (petals of a flower), in art (mehndi designs), and in numbers. When something repeats in the same order, it makes a pattern. Let us learn to find, extend, and create patterns.
What is a Pattern?
A pattern is something that repeats in the same order. The part that repeats is called the core of the pattern.
Example: 🔴🔵🔴🔵🔴🔵 — The core is "Red, Blue". It repeats 3 times. Example: Clap, Clap, Stomp, Clap, Clap, Stomp — The core is "Clap, Clap, Stomp".
Shape Patterns
In a shape pattern, shapes repeat in the same order.
Example 1: ○ □ ○ □ ○ □ ... → Core: Circle, Square. Next: Circle Example 2: △ △ ○ △ △ ○ △ △ ... → Core: Triangle, Triangle, Circle. Next: Circle Example 3: □ △ ○ □ △ ○ □ ... → Core: Square, Triangle, Circle. Next: Triangle, Circle
Tip: To find the core, look for the part that keeps repeating. Cover it with your finger and see if the rest matches!
Colour Patterns
In a colour pattern, colours repeat in the same order.
Example 1: Red, Blue, Red, Blue, Red, Blue → Core: Red, Blue Example 2: Green, Green, Yellow, Green, Green, Yellow → Core: Green, Green, Yellow Example 3: Orange, White, Green, Orange, White, Green → Core: Orange, White, Green (like our flag! 🇮🇳)
Number Patterns
In a number pattern, numbers change by the same amount each time. This is called the rule.
Example 1: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 → Rule: Add 2 each time Example 2: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 → Rule: Add 5 each time Example 3: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 → Rule: Add 2 each time (odd numbers!) Example 4: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 → Rule: Add 10 each time Example 5: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 → Rule: Add 3 each time
Growing and Shrinking Patterns
Growing pattern: 1, 2, 4, 7, 11 → The amount added increases: +1, +2, +3, +4 Shrinking pattern: 20, 18, 16, 14, 12 → Rule: Subtract 2 each time Real life: Meena saves ₹5 more each week: Week 1 = ₹5, Week 2 = ₹10, Week 3 = ₹15...
Patterns in Daily Life
Rangoli: Designs repeat in beautiful patterns during Diwali. Music: Dhol beats follow a pattern — dhum, dhum, ta, dhum, dhum, ta... Nature: Day, Night, Day, Night — a pattern that never stops! Saree border: The same design repeats along the edge. Cricket: Over pattern — 6 balls, then change ends. Repeat!
📝 Key Words
Word
Meaning
Pattern
Something that repeats in the same order
Repeating
Happening again and again in the same way
Rule
The way numbers change in a pattern (e.g., add 2)
Core
The part of the pattern that repeats
Extend
To continue a pattern by adding more
Growing pattern
A pattern where numbers get bigger
⭐ Key Points to Remember
A pattern repeats in the same order.
The "core" is the part that keeps repeating.
Patterns can be made with shapes, colours, or numbers.
To extend a pattern, find the rule and keep going.
Number patterns often add or subtract the same number each time.
Patterns are everywhere — in rangoli, music, nature, and cricket!
9. The part of a pattern that repeats is called the .
10. 20, 18, 16, 14, . (Rule: subtract )
B. Choose the Correct Answer (MCQ - 5)
1. What comes next? A, B, A, B, A, ___
a) Ab) Bc) C
2. What is the rule for: 10, 20, 30, 40?
a) Add 5b) Add 10c) Add 2
3. What comes next? 3, 6, 9, 12, ___
a) 13b) 14c) 15
4. What is the core of: ○ □ △ ○ □ △ ○ □ △?
a) ○ □b) ○ □ △c) □ △
5. What comes next? 15, 13, 11, 9, ___
a) 8b) 7c) 6
C. Short Answer (5)
1. Write the rule for this pattern: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25.
2. Create your own shape pattern using two shapes. Write it out (at least 8 items).
3. Extend this pattern by 3 more: 4, 8, 12, 16, ___, ___, ___.
4. What is the core of this pattern: Red, Green, Red, Green, Red, Green?
5. Give one example of a pattern you see in daily life.
D. True or False (5)
1. A pattern always repeats in the same order.
2. 2, 5, 8, 11 is a pattern with rule "add 2".
3. The core of Red, Blue, Red, Blue is "Red, Blue".
4. Number patterns can only go up (increase).
5. A rangoli design has patterns.
E. Match the Following (5)
Pattern
Rule
1. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10
a) Add 5
2. 5, 10, 15, 20
b) Add 3
3. 3, 6, 9, 12
c) Add 2
4. 10, 20, 30, 40
d) Subtract 2
5. 20, 18, 16, 14
e) Add 10
🎨 Activity: Make Your Own Pattern
Use beads, buttons, or draw shapes on paper. Make a repeating pattern using at least 3 different things (e.g., star, heart, circle). Show your pattern to a friend and ask them to find the core and extend it by 4 more. Then make a number pattern starting from any number!
Want a printable worksheet? Switch to the Worksheet View, then print.
Mathematics
Patterns
Class 2 | CBSE / NCERT / ICSE
Name: Class: Date:
Learning Objectives
Understand what a repeating pattern is.
Identify and extend patterns (shapes, colours, numbers).
Find the rule (core) of a pattern.
Create your own patterns and recognise growing/shrinking patterns.
Let Us Begin!
Look at a saree border or a rangoli design. The same design repeats again and again. That is a pattern! Patterns are everywhere — in nature, art, and numbers. When something repeats in the same order, it makes a pattern. The part that repeats is called the core.
Example 1: Red, Blue, Red, Blue → Core: Red, Blue Example 2: Orange, White, Green, Orange, White, Green → Core: Orange, White, Green (like our flag! 🇮🇳)