Number patterns, step by step
A number pattern hides a rule, and finding it is early algebra in disguise.
The question
5, 17, ?, 41, 53
517?4153
517?4153
517?4153
517?4153
517294153
- Find the rule first, from two numbers you can actually see — never from the gap.
- 5 to 17 is + 12. One pair is a guess, though — check it against another.
- 41 + 12 = 53, so the rule holds. Two pairs agreeing is what turns a guess into the rule.
- Now apply it to the gap: 17 + 12 = 29.
- Check it against the number already after the gap: 29 + 12 = 41, which is what is there. The missing number is 29.
How it works.
- 01
Find the rule first, from two numbers you can actually see — never from the gap.
- 02
5 to 17 is + 12. One pair is a guess, though — check it against another.
- 03
41 + 12 = 53, so the rule holds. Two pairs agreeing is what turns a guess into the rule.
- 04
Now apply it to the gap: 17 + 12 = 29.
- 05
Check it against the number already after the gap: 29 + 12 = 41, which is what is there. The missing number is 29.