Foundation Unit 5b Topic Test - Maths

Sep 5, 2026

Foundation Unit 5b topic test focused on sequences, patterns, and number reasoning across ten questions. Students draw and extend counter and shape patterns, complete tables, and derive expressions for nth terms. The assessment also covers arithmetic and Fibonacci sequences, including predicting missing terms, finding specific terms (e.g., 10th, 20th, 8th, 9th), and explaining why given numbers are or are not valid sequence terms. Total time is 45 minutes with 43 marks available.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

Question 1

Counters patterns and nth-term expressions

Question 2

Triangles patterns and justification

Question 3

Triangles and rectangles in sequential patterns

Question 4

Number sequence terms and expressions

Question 5

Another number sequence: missing terms and explanations

Question 6

Arithmetic-style sequence: next term, 8th term, validity check

Question 7

Arithmetic sequence: next term and nth-term expression

Question 8

Arithmetic sequence: nth-term and checking a number

Question 9

Fibonacci sequence: 9th term and parameter solving

Question 10

Odd numbers and additional arithmetic sequence checks

Name: Foundation Unit 5b topic test Date: Time: 45 minutes Total marks available: 43 Total marks achieved: Questions Q1 . Here is a sequence of patterns made with counters. (a) In the space below, draw pattern number 4 (1) (b) Complete the table. (1) (c) Find an expression, in terms of n, for the number of counters in pattern number n. (2) Habeeb has 50 counters. He wants to use as many of his counters as possible to make a pattern in the sequence. (d) What is the number of the pattern he can make using the greatest number of his counters? (2) (Total for Question is 6 marks) Q2 . Here are some patterns made from triangles. (a) Complete the table. (1) (b) How many triangles are needed for Pattern number 12? (1) Luke says that Pattern number 40 has 82 triangles. (c) Luke is wrong. Explain why. ........... ............................................................................................................................. ...... (1) (Total for Question is 3 marks) Q3 . Here are the first three patterns in a sequence. The patterns are made from triangles and rectangles. (a) How many triangles are there in pattern number 7? (2) Charlie says "There are 4 rectangles in pattern number 3 so there will be 8 rectangles in pattern number 6" (b) Is Charlie right? Give a reason for your answer. ............................................................................................................................. ................ ............................................................................................................................. ................ (1) (Total for question = 3 marks) Q4 . Here are the first four terms of a number sequence. 6 10 14 18 (a) Write down the next term in this sequence. (1) (b) Find the 10th term in this sequence. (1) (c) The number 101 is not a term in this sequence. Explain why. (1) (d) Write an expression, in terms of n, for the nth term of this sequence. (2) (Total for Question is 5 marks) Q5 . Here are the first four terms of a number sequence. 3 7 11 15 (a) Write down the next term of this sequence. (1) The 50th term of this number sequence is 199 (b) Write down the 51st term of this sequence. ........................................................... (1) The number 372 is not a term of this sequence. (c) Explain why. ....................................... ...................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................. ................ (1) (Total for Question is 3 marks) Q6 . Here are the first four terms of a number sequence. 4 7 10 13 (a) (i) What is the next term in the sequence? (ii) Explain how you found your answer. (2) (b) What is the 8th term in the sequence? (1) Alexi says 34 is in the sequence. (c) Is Alexi correct? You must give a reason for your answer. (1) (Total for Question is 4 marks) Q7 . Here are the first five terms of an arithmetic sequence. 2 7 12 17 22 (a) (i) Find the next term of this sequence. ............................................................................................................................. ................. (ii) Explain how you found your answer. ............................................................................................................................. ................. (2) (b) Write down an expression, in terms of n, for the nth term of the sequence. (2) (Total for Question is 4 marks) Q8 . Here are the first four terms of an arithmetic sequence. 6 10 14 18 (a) Write an expression, in terms of n, for the nth term of this sequence. (2) The nth term of a different arithmetic sequence is 3n + 5 (b) Is 108 a term of this sequence? Show ho

FAQs

What kinds of questions are included in the Foundation Unit 5b topic test?

The test includes pattern drawing and completion, finding specific terms in number sequences, deriving nth-term expressions, and explaining why statements about sequences are correct or incorrect.

How are students expected to find missing terms and nth-term expressions?

Students use the established rules in each sequence, such as constant differences for arithmetic sequences or addition of previous terms for Fibonacci sequences, then express the pattern in terms of n where required.

What sequence types appear in the test?

Arithmetic sequences and Fibonacci sequences are both used, alongside other pattern-based sequences involving counters, triangles, rectangles, and number patterns.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Bill Black