ABSTRACT
A pattern is a repeated design or sequence that is arranged according to a rule. Almost every aspect of mathematics involves looking for, describing and using patterns in one way or another. Students’ pre-algebra skills are developed by observing and recognising patterns of increasing complexity. Patterns can be divided into two broad categories: repeating patterns and growing patterns. In repeating patterns, the sequence remains the same each time the pattern repeats. Divisibility rules are patterns that can be used to work out whether a number is evenly divisible by another without the use of a calculator. Knowledge of the divisibility rules allows students to check the accuracy of calculations and increase the speed of mental arithmetic. The divisibility rules help to more quickly determine whether numbers are prime or composite.
