Pattern Solving

Solving pattern questions requires you to work through how numbers relate to each other. The best suggestion is to start with the smaller numbers, as they are easier to deal with and solve. If the numbers are increasing rapidly, it is more than likely a multiplication pattern. If they are growing consistently, it is more than likely an addition pattern.

First step is to select the numbers you wish to work with first. In the example below, you could select the top line and determine how 55 and 40 are related. By subtracting 40 from 55 the result is 15. If this can be confirmed with another set of numbers, then you know your answer. 24 – 15 = 0, so the numbers seem to be going up by 15. In the middle row, 17 + 15 = 32 + 15 = 47. So the final row 9 + 15 = 24 + 15 = 39.

If the numbers are growing quickly, they are more than likely being multiplied. By looking at the middle row below, you should be able to determine how 800 and 160 are related. If you divide 800 by 160 you get an answer of 5. If you multiply 128 by 5 you get an answer of 640. It seems the numbers are being multiplied by 5. For the bottom row if you multiply 8 by 5 you get 40. If you then multiply 40 by 5 you will get an answer of 200.

Below are the answers.