Question

Why is it important to look at more than the first two numbers of a pattern to decide the rule for the pattern?

Answer 1

Answer:

This is important because, the first few numbers might seem to follow a pattern but subsequent numbers might reveal a change in the rule.

Step-by-step explanation:

When studying patterns it is important to evaluate all the figures holistically instead of drawing conclusions based on just the first few numbers because there might be a change in what we felt was obvious on close observance of all the numbers. For example, observe the pattern;

2,4,6, 10, 14, 18, 20, 22, 24

The first two numbers show the addition of two. If a person decides to add 2 to all the figures, he would be wrong because after the first three figures, he would have to add 4 to the numbers.