Reveal Math Grade 3, Unit 4: Patterns
In this unit, your child looks for patterns in addition and multiplication tables and explains why they happen. Why is every multiple of 4 even? Why do the 5s end in 0 or 5? Spotting patterns makes facts easier to remember and builds reasoning. It follows the fact strategies of the last unit, and the next unit uses multiplication to find area.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 4?
- Finding and explaining patterns in addition and multiplication tables, such as why every multiple of 4 is even, or why the 9s digits add to 9. Learn more: Spotting patterns in times tables
Sample questions to try together
These are real questions from our practice. Tap the speaker to hear one read aloud, or the light bulb for a hint, and talk about the answer together.
Question 1 of 3
Look at this pattern: When the input is 1, the output is 3. When the input is 2, the output is 4. When the input is 3, the output is 5. What is the output when the input is 4?
- 6
- 7
- 8
How you can help
- Count by 5s on a walk, one number per step, and ask your child what the ones digits keep doing, and why they never land on anything else.
- Add odd and even numbers at dinner, such as 3 + 5 or 4 + 7, and ask your child to predict whether each answer will be odd or even before solving.
- Count the legs on the chairs around your table by 4s, and ask your child why every total is even, no matter how many chairs there are.
Where kids can get stuck
- Deciding a pattern is always true after checking only a few numbers, like guessing all multiples of 3 are odd.
- Describing a pattern only by how it looks, such as 'it goes up by 4,' without saying why it happens.
- Losing their place in the table and reading a row as a column, then describing a pattern that is not there.
Practice makes perfect
Bobby's Math Club has practice problems that adapt to your child’s level, each with a detailed explanation and an easy-to-follow video, so your child can build confidence in these skills one step at a time.
Words your child will hear
- pattern
- Something that repeats or changes in a predictable way.
- multiplication table
- A grid showing the products of numbers in its rows and columns.
- addition table
- A grid showing the sums of numbers in its rows and columns.
- even number
- A number that can be split into two equal groups, ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8.
- odd number
- A number that cannot be split into two equal groups, ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9.
- multiple
- The product of a number and a whole number, like 12 for 4.
- product
- The answer to a multiplication problem.
- skip-count
- To count by a number other than 1, like 5, 10, 15, 20.
Ready to build your child’s confidence with math patterns?
In Bobby's Math Club, your child practices these skills at just the right level, with a hint when they need one, a clear explanation after every question, and kid-friendly videos. Unlimited practice is free.
Join the club
Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.
Which math standards does Reveal Math Grade 3 Unit 4 cover?
Reveal Math Grade 3 Unit 4 covers this math standard. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.
- 3.OA.D.9: Spot and explain number patterns, like 3, 6, 9, 12.
For teachers: Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence. Learn how Bobby's Math Club can help your students grow.