Number series — Logical reasoning for kids

How to think it through

Find the jump — “look at how each number turns into the next one”

1. Write the jump between each pair of neighbours (+3, +3, +3 … or × 2, × 2 …).
2. If the jumps are not equal, look at the jumps themselves: do they grow by 1, take turns, or are the numbers squares (1, 4, 9, 16 …)?
3. Use the same rule once more to get the next number.

Use it for: Number series in Olympiad and aptitude tests, IQ puzzles, and spotting patterns in tables and times tables.

Worked example: What comes next? 4, 9, 14, 19, 24, ? → 29

✏️ Practice

Work it out in your head or on paper, type the answer and press Check. Stuck? Press “Show me how”.

🏁 Lesson 1 test

20 questions. Check each answer, then go to the next one. Get 16 or more right to pass.

🏅 Sign in with Google to earn the 🔢 Series Sleuth badge when you pass — and a certificate when you finish all 10 lessons of Part 1 · Patterns. You can still take the test without signing in.

🖨️ Number Series Worksheet

• Worksheet set 1 (PDF)
• Worksheet set 2 (PDF)
• Worksheet set 3 (PDF)