Linear Pattern
线性规律
Pattern / 模式识别What It Looks Like
Recognition signals — when you see these, think of this structure:
- 1A sequence of numbers
- 2The pattern looks regular
- 3Asked to find the next number or a missing number
What It Really Tests
The core mathematical idea behind this structure:
The difference between consecutive terms is constant.
相邻项的差值恒定。
Why Students Get Stuck
Common mistakes to watch out for:
- ⚠Guessing instead of computing differences
- ⚠Checking only the first two terms
- ⚠Assuming the pattern is multiplication when it is actually addition
Your First Step
How to begin thinking about problems with this structure:
Write down the difference between each pair of adjacent numbers first.
先写出每对相邻数字之间的差值。
Try a Problem
A row of square tiles is built in stages. Stage 1 uses 4 tiles. Stage 2 uses 7 tiles. Stage 3 uses 10 tiles. If the pattern continues, how many tiles are used in Stage 6?
💡 Show Solution & Key Insight
Answer
C
Explanation
The number of tiles increases by 3 each stage: 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19. Stage 6 uses 19 tiles.
Key Insight
Look at the constant difference between consecutive terms first.
Common Wrong Path
Guessing by multiplying stage number by some factor instead of tracking the fixed increment.
Related Structures
These structures share similar patterns or thinking approaches: