Number Patterns is one of 9 topics in the Grade 10 Mathematics CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. For the sequence 3; 7; 11; 15; ..., what is the common difference between consecutive terms?
Answer: 4 — Each term increases by 4: 7-3=4, 11-7=4, 15-11=4, so the common difference is 4.
Easy
2. For the sequence 2; 6; 18; 54; ..., what is the common ratio between consecutive terms?
Answer: 3 — Each term is 3 times the previous term: 6/2=3, 18/6=3, 54/18=3, so the common ratio is 3.
Medium
3. The sequence 1; 4; 9; 16; 25; ... follows which rule?
Tn = n^2
Tn = 4n - 3
Tn = 3n + 1
Tn = 2^n
Answer: Tn = n^2 — The terms are perfect squares: 1^2=1, 2^2=4, 3^2=9, 4^2=16, 5^2=25, so Tn = n^2.
