Finding Missing Numbers in Sequences

MatholiaChannel

This educational video guides students through four distinct examples of identifying and solving number patterns. Using a visual aid of colorful balloons arranged in sequences, the narrator demonstrates how to determine the rule governing each pattern—whether the numbers are increasing or decreasing and by what amount. The video covers skip counting by twos, counting backward by ones, counting backward by twos, and counting backward by tens. The key themes explored include pattern recognition, mental addition and subtraction, and sequence completion. The video emphasizes the strategy of looking at consecutive known numbers to identify the mathematical rule (e.g., "plus 2" or "minus 10") before applying that rule to find the missing values. It visually represents these arithmetic steps with arrows connecting the balloons, reinforcing the concept of intervals between numbers. For educators, this video serves as an excellent modeling tool for early elementary math lessons on algebra and functions. It clearly articulates the thought process required to solve these problems, making it valuable for introducing skip counting or reviewing subtraction strategies. The clear visual layout helps students transition from concrete counting to more abstract numerical relationships, and the pause before revealing answers provides natural opportunities for whole-class engagement and prediction.