Understand the idea.
Find what repeats
A repeating pattern uses the same small group again and again. This group is the repeating unit. Say the shapes in order, then point to matching groups. Each complete group must contain the same items in the same order.
Check every item
Look for the smallest group that repeats across all the shown items. Sometimes one shape appears twice inside a unit, as in circle, circle, triangle. Keep both circles: leaving one out would change the order of the pattern.
See the method in action.
A two-item unit
Find the repeating unit in the picture.
Worked solution
- 1
Read all the shapes in order.
The picture shows circle, square, circle, square, circle, square.
- 2
Group each circle with the square after it.
This makes three matching groups of circle, square.
- 3
Check whether one shape could be the unit.
Circles and squares alternate, so one shape alone does not repeat. The smallest unit is circle, square.
Circle, square.
A unit with a repeated shape
What is the smallest repeating unit: clap, clap, stamp, clap, clap, stamp?
Worked solution
- 1
Read the first three actions.
They are clap, clap, stamp.
- 2
Compare them with the next three actions.
The next group is also clap, clap, stamp.
- 3
Check for a shorter unit.
A single clap misses the stamps. Pairs would be clap–clap, stamp–clap, clap–stamp, which do not match. The unit is clap, clap, stamp.
Clap, clap, stamp.
Try it yourself.
Check your understanding
Find the unit: triangle, circle, triangle, circle, triangle, circle.
Show answer & reasoning
Triangle, circle.
The smallest repeating unit is triangle, circle. The same pair appears three times, always with the triangle first.
Keep practising
6 worksheet questions
Read the questions online
- Find the smallest unit: square, circle, square, circle, square, circle.
- Find the unit: clap, stamp, stamp, clap, stamp, stamp.
- Find the smallest unit in the picture.
- Is triangle the whole unit in triangle, square, triangle, square? Explain.
- How many complete units of circle, square are shown: circle, square, circle, square?
- Draw two repeats of the unit square, square, circle.
Read the worked solutions
- Find the smallest unit: square, circle, square, circle, square, circle.
Separate the pattern into matching pairs.
Square, circle. - Find the unit: clap, stamp, stamp, clap, stamp, stamp.
The same three actions repeat.
Clap, stamp, stamp. - Find the smallest unit in the picture.
Each group contains two circles followed by a triangle.
Circle, circle, triangle. - Is triangle the whole unit in triangle, square, triangle, square? Explain.
Repeating only triangle would leave out every square.
No. The unit is triangle, square. - How many complete units of circle, square are shown: circle, square, circle, square?
There are two matching pairs.
2 units. - Draw two repeats of the unit square, square, circle.
Use all three items before starting the unit again.
Square, square, circle, square, square, circle.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 and SA Curriculum Mathematics
Year 1 repeating patterns, their units and missing elements.
Official curriculum source ↗