Number sequences: word problems

Learn with an example

📢 Alan is organising his books and putting them on shelves. He put 36 books on the first shelf, 45 books on the second shelf, 54 books on the third shelf, and 63 books on the fourth shelf. If this pattern continues, how many books will Alan put on the fifth shelf?

 _____ books

First, look for a pattern.

Add 9 to find the next number:

Alan will put 72 books on the fifth shelf.

📢 Last year, Cedarburg Hardware ordered 2 hammers in February, 4 hammers in March, 8 hammers in April, and 16 hammers in May. If this pattern continues, how many hammers will the store order in June?

 _____ hammers

First, look for a pattern.

Multiply by 2 to find the next number:

Cedarburg Hardware will order 32 hammers in June.

📢 Jessica is sorting pencils into boxes. She put 1 pencil in the first box, 2 pencils in the second box, 4 pencils in the third box, 8 pencils in the fourth box, and 16 pencils in the fifth box. If this pattern continues, how many pencils will Jessica put in the sixth box?

______ pencils

First, look for a pattern.

Multiply by 2 to find the next number:

Jessica will put 32 pencils in the sixth box.

Let’s practice!🖊️