Pattern Around Us | Maths Grade 4 CBSE

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Six pattern ideas

Patterns follow a rule. Tap each term to see what it means, with an everyday example.

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A repeating pattern is made of a small part that repeats over and over.
The repeating part is called the core. In clap-clap-stamp, clap-clap-stamp, the core is clap-clap-stamp.
Once you spot the core, you can say what comes next anywhere in the pattern.

Worked example. In the bead string ●●▲●●▲●●▲, what is the core and what comes next?

The core is ●●▲, repeating three times. The next bead begins a new core, so it is ●.

In a growing pattern each step is bigger than the one before by the same amount.
A staircase of 1, 2, 3, 4 boxes grows by 1 box each step.
Numbers can grow too: 2, 4, 6, 8 grows by 2; 5, 10, 15 grows by 5.

Worked example. A tower uses 3 blocks, then 5, then 7. How many blocks in the next tower?

Each tower has 2 more blocks (3, 5, 7...). The next tower needs 7 + 2 = 9 blocks.

Patterns can be made of shapes that turn or take turns, like △▽△▽.
A border repeats a design along an edge — think of a decorated dupatta or a wall border.
Designs like rangoli use a unit that is repeated and turned to make something beautiful.

Worked example. Continue the shape pattern: △ ▽ △ ▽ △ __

The shapes take turns, so after △ comes ▽.

Common mix-up: A repeating pattern keeps the same core; a growing pattern changes by adding more each time. Do not mix them up.

Where you’ll meet it

A beat in music repeats — dha-dhin-dhin-dha. Dance steps repeat too. Patterns make rhythm.

Block prints and saree borders repeat a small design. Crafts are patterns you can wear.

The days repeat: Monday comes after Sunday, again and again. Time itself is a pattern.

Check yourself

Ten friendly questions — mostly multiple-choice with one assertion–reason — to check you can read and continue patterns.

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