Number Line Pattern Recognition: Identifying the Missing Value

Q: How do I find the pattern on a number line?

Look at any two consecutive labeled points and find their difference. In this case: $ -3 - (-6) = 3 $, so each step is +3.

Q: Why isn't the red dot at 0?

The red dot is one step to the right of the 0 position. Since each step equals 3, the red dot shows $ 0 + 3 = 3 $.

Q: What if the numbers don't go up by the same amount?

Number lines in these problems always have equal spacing. If you calculated different step sizes, double-check your arithmetic!

Q: How can I verify my answer is correct?

Check that your answer continues the pattern: $ -6, -3, 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 $. Each number should be exactly 3 more than the previous one.

Q: Do I always add to find the missing number?

Not always! You add when the pattern increases (like here), but you'd subtract if the numbers were getting smaller from left to right.

Number Line Intervals with Constant Differences

What number appears at the point marked in red?

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Understand the problem

What number appears at the point marked in red?

Step-by-step solution

Let's pay attention to the numbers on the axis from left to right:

$-6,-3,0,?,6,9,12,15$

We'll try to find the common denominator.

Note that if we use the operation 3+, we'll reach the sequence of numbers:

$-6+3=-3$

$-3+3=0$

$6+3=9$

$9+3=12$

$12+3=15$

Therefore, the question mark will be the following exercise:

$0+3=3$

Final Answer

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Pattern Recognition: Find the common difference between consecutive marked points
Technique: Calculate step size: $-3 - (-6) = 3$ , then add 3
Check: Verify sequence continues: $3 + 3 = 6$ matches next point ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Assuming the missing value is 0 because it's between negative and positive
Don't guess that the red dot equals 0 just because it's between -3 and 6 = wrong answer! The spacing isn't equal on both sides of zero. Always calculate the constant difference first: each interval represents +3, so 0 + 3 = 3.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

$$ 5 < -5 $$

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

How do I find the pattern on a number line?

Look at any two consecutive labeled points and find their difference. In this case: $-3 - (-6) = 3$ , so each step is +3.

Why isn't the red dot at 0?

The red dot is one step to the right of the 0 position. Since each step equals 3, the red dot shows $0 + 3 = 3$ .

What if the numbers don't go up by the same amount?

Number lines in these problems always have equal spacing. If you calculated different step sizes, double-check your arithmetic!

How can I verify my answer is correct?

Check that your answer continues the pattern: $-6, -3, 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15$ . Each number should be exactly 3 more than the previous one.

Do I always add to find the missing number?

Not always! You add when the pattern increases (like here), but you'd subtract if the numbers were getting smaller from left to right.

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