The sequence red, blue, red, blue, red continues following an AB pattern. What comes next?
ARed — because red appeared most recently
BBlue — the AB rule says after A comes B
CEither color is possible — patterns allow variation
DYou need more items before you can predict
An AB pattern strictly alternates two items. After every A comes B, and after every B comes A — forever. Because the sequence ends on red (A), the next item must be blue (B). This predictability is exactly what makes it a pattern rather than a random sequence.
Question 2 Multiple Choice
Maya arranges: circle, square, circle, triangle, circle, square. Is this an AB pattern?
AYes — it mostly alternates, so it counts
BYes — it uses shapes, which AB patterns can use
CNo — a true AB pattern uses exactly two alternating items; this uses three different shapes
DNo — AB patterns must use colors, not shapes
An AB pattern requires exactly two items that alternate without exception. Maya's sequence introduces 'triangle' as a third element, breaking the rule. 'Mostly alternating' is not a pattern — a pattern is defined by a rule that holds every time, not most of the time. The items can be anything (colors, shapes, sounds), but there must be exactly two of them, strictly alternating.
Question 3 True / False
Red-blue-red-blue and clap-stomp-clap-stomp are different patterns because they use different items.
TTrue
FFalse
Answer: False
Both sequences follow the same underlying rule: two things, alternating, repeating. The specific items (colors vs. movements) don't define the pattern type — the rule does. This is a key insight: the same AB pattern can show up in completely different forms. Recognizing that different-looking things share the same rule is early mathematical abstraction.
Question 4 True / False
In an AB pattern, if you know the rule and the current element, you can always predict what comes next.
TTrue
FFalse
Answer: True
This is the definition of a pattern. The AB rule says: two items, strictly alternating. Knowing the rule and where you are in the sequence is all you need to predict every future element — not just the next one, but all of them. This predictability is what distinguishes a pattern from a random sequence.
Question 5 Short Answer
What makes something a pattern instead of just a random sequence? Use the idea of an AB pattern in your explanation.
Think about your answer, then reveal below.
Model answer: A pattern follows a rule that makes the next element predictable. In an AB pattern, the rule is that two items alternate: A, B, A, B, always. Because the rule never breaks, you always know what comes next. A random sequence has no rule — you cannot predict the next element.
The key word is 'rule.' A pattern is not just any repeating collection of things — it must follow a consistent rule that lets you predict future elements. An AB pattern's rule is simple: alternate two specific items forever. The moment you break the rule (add a third item, repeat one twice), it is no longer an AB pattern.