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Number Sequences (Medium)

Dominoes and numbers have more in common than you think. This 11 Plus Maths quiz helps you recognise number patterns that grow or shrink step by step.

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Fascinating Fact:

Dominoes can form arithmetic sequences, with each new piece showing one more dot than the last, turning a game into a number pattern.

In 11 Plus Maths, sequences teach logical thinking and mathematical reasoning. By studying number patterns, pupils learn how rules can describe everything from domino games to complex equations.

Key Terms

Arithmetic Sequence: A sequence where the same number is added or subtracted each time, like 3, 6, 9, 12.
Difference: The fixed amount added or subtracted to move from one term to the next in a sequence.
Term: An individual number in a sequence that follows a rule or pattern.

Parents can read more about 11 Plus exam subjects in our guide on what subjects are tested in the 11 Plus.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is an arithmetic sequence?

An arithmetic sequence is a list of numbers with a constant difference between each term, such as adding 2 every time to form 2, 4, 6, 8.

How do dominoes show number sequences?

Dominoes often follow numerical patterns, like increasing dots by one per tile, showing a visual example of how sequences build step by step.

Why are number sequences useful in maths?

Number sequences help pupils identify relationships, build prediction skills, and prepare for algebra by spotting mathematical rules and patterns.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

Which sequence can be formed from the given rule for the n^th term?
n^th term = 2n + 3

1, 7, 9, 13, ...

1, 5, 7, 9, ...

2, 5, 7, 9, ...

5, 7, 9, 11, ...

The terms of the sequence are found by first putting n = 1, then n = 2, then n = 3 and finally n = 4 in the rule for the n^th term = 2n + 3. As follows (do the multiplication first THEN the addition):
n = 1 gives 2 × 1 + 3 = 5
n = 2 gives 2 × 2 + 3 = 7
n = 3 gives 2 × 3 + 3 = 9
n = 4 gives 2 × 4 + 3 = 11

2 .

Which sequence can be formed from the given rule for the n^th term?
n^th term = 2n

2, 4, 8, 16, ...

3, 6, 9, 12, ...

1, 2, 4, 6, ...

2, 4, 6, 8, ...

The terms of the sequence are found by first putting n = 1, then n = 2, then n = 3 and finally n = 4 in the rule for the n^th term = 2n. As follows:
n = 1 gives 2 × 1 = 2
n = 2 gives 2 × 2 = 4
n = 3 gives 2 × 3 = 6
n = 4 gives 2 × 4 = 8

3 .

Which sequence can be formed from the given rule for the n^th term?
n^th term = 2n - 1

1, 3, 5, 9, ...

1, 3, 5, 7, ...

0, 1, 3, 5, ...

1, 5, 15, 45, ...

The terms of the sequence are found by first putting n = 1, then n = 2, then n = 3 and finally n = 4 in the rule for the n^th term = 2n -1. As follows (do the multiplication first THEN the subtraction):
n = 1 gives 2 × 1 - 1 = 1
n = 2 gives 2 × 2 - 1 = 3
n = 3 gives 2 × 3 - 1 = 5
n = 4 gives 2 × 4 - 1 = 7

4 .

Which sequence can be formed from the given rule for the n^th term?
n^th term = -n + 1

0, 1, 2, 3, ...

0, -1, -2, -3, ...

1, 2, 3, 4, ...

1, 3, 5, 7, ...

The terms of the sequence are found by first putting n = 1, then n = 2, then n = 3 and finally n = 4 in the rule for the n^th term = -n + 1. As follows:
n = 1 gives -1 + 1 = 0
n = 2 gives -2 + 1 = -1
n = 3 gives -3 + 1 = -2
n = 4 gives -4 + 1 = -3

5 .

Which sequence can be formed from the given rule for the n^th term?
n^th term = -5n

-5, -10, -15, -20, ...

5, 10, 15, 20, ...

0, -5, -10, -15, ...

-5, -25, -125, -625, ...

The terms of the sequence are found by first putting n = 1, then n = 2, then n = 3 and finally n = 4 in the rule for the n^th term = -5n. As follows:
n = 1 gives -5 × 1 = -5
n = 2 gives -5 × 2 = -10
n = 3 gives -5 × 3 = -15
n = 4 gives -5 × 4 = -20

6 .

Which sequence can be formed from the given rule for the n^th term?
n^th term = 4n + 7

11, 15, 18, 23, ...

11, 13, 15, 19, ...

11, 15, 19, 23, ...

11, 12, 15, 19, ...

The terms of the sequence are found by first putting n = 1, then n = 2, then n = 3 and finally n = 4 in the rule for the n^th term = 4n + 7. As follows (do the multiplication first THEN the addition):
n = 1 gives 4 × 1 + 7 = 11
n = 2 gives 4 × 2 + 7 = 15
n = 3 gives 4 × 3 + 7 = 19
n = 4 gives 4 × 4 + 7 = 23

7 .

Which sequence can be formed from the given rule for the n^th term?
n^th term = n²

1, 4, 9, 16, ...

2, 4, 6, 8, ...

1, 2, 3, 4, ...

1, 8, 27, 64, ...

The terms of the sequence are found by first putting n = 1, then n = 2, then n = 3 and finally n = 4 in the rule for the n^th term = n². As follows:
n = 1 gives 1² = 1
n = 2 gives 2² = 4
n = 3 gives 3² = 9
n = 4 gives 4² = 16

8 .

Which sequence can be formed from the given rule for the n^th term?
n^th term = n² - n

0, 3, 8, 15, ...

0, 2, 6, 12, ...

0, 2, 4, 6, 8, ...

1, 3, 5, 7, ...

The terms of the sequence are found by first putting n = 1, then n = 2, then n = 3 and finally n = 4 in the rule for the n^th term = n² - n. As follows (do the multiplication first THEN the addition):
n = 1 gives 1² - 1 = 0
n = 2 gives 2² - 2 = 2
n = 3 gives 3² - 3 = 6
n = 4 gives 4² - 4 = 12

9 .

Which sequence can be formed from the given rule for the n^th term?
n^th term = 6n

6, 12, 18, 24, ...

0, 6, 12, 18, ...

2, 4, 6, 8, ...

1, 6, 12, 18, ...

The terms of the sequence are found by first putting n = 1, then n = 2, then n = 3 and finally n = 4 in the rule for the n^th term = 6n. As follows (do the multiplication first THEN the addition):
n = 1 gives 6 × 1 = 6
n = 2 gives 6 × 2 = 12
n = 3 gives 6 × 3 = 18
n = 4 gives 6 × 4 = 24

10 .

Which sequence can be formed from the given rule for the n^th term?
n^th term = 4n - 1

5, 7, 11, 15, ...

3, 7, 12, 15, ...

3, 8, 11, 15, ...

3, 7, 11, 15, ...

The terms of the sequence are found by first putting n = 1, then n = 2, then n = 3 and finally n = 4 in the rule for the n^th term = 4n - 1. As follows (do the multiplication first THEN the subtraction):
n = 1 gives 4 × 1 - 1 = 3
n = 2 gives 4 × 2 - 1 = 7
n = 3 gives 4 × 3 - 1 = 11
n = 4 gives 4 × 4 - 1 = 15

Author: Frank Evans (Specialist 11 Plus Teacher and Tutor)