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Pattern Quest


Instructions

Study the first few stages of a growing pattern and figure out how it changes.


Early levels ask you to build the next stage of the figure. As the levels get harder, you'll predict how many tiles will appear in a much later stage, identify the rule that describes the pattern, and eventually write your own algebraic expression.


By the final levels, you'll work with quadratic patterns and even work backward to determine which stage contains a specific number of tiles.


Any equivalent expression is accepted. If your rule is mathematically correct, it counts—even if you wrote it differently from the expected form.

Introduction

Pattern Quest is a free educational math game that helps students discover the algebra hiding inside growing patterns. Students study figures made from tiles, predict future stages, and eventually write algebraic rules that describe how the patterns grow. With 20 levels of increasing difficulty, students progress from building the next stage to working with linear and quadratic patterns and writing rules in terms of n.

WHY THIS GAME MATTERS

Why students love this game:

  • Growing patterns become visual puzzles

  • Students get to discover the rule instead of being given one

  • Incorrect answers provide visual feedback

  • Fresh patterns keep the game replayable

  • A scoring system rewards careful, successful reasoning

Skills students build:

  • Recognizing patterns

  • Generalizing from specific examples

  • Writing algebraic expressions

  • Identifying rate of change and initial value

  • Connecting visual patterns to algebra

  • Reasoning about quadratic growth

  • Using structure to solve problems

Great For

This free educational math game is especially useful for:

  • Grades 6–9

  • Upper elementary enrichment

  • Introducing variables and algebraic expressions

  • Growing pattern activities

  • Pre-algebra

  • Algebra 1 review

  • Functions and rate of change

  • Math warm-ups

  • Math stations

  • Early finishers

  • Independent practice

  • Homeschool math

Accessibility Matters

Pattern Quest is designed with accessibility in mind so more students can participate independently.


Accessibility features include:

  • Full keyboard operability

  • Arrow-key navigation of the pattern-building grid

  • Screen reader support

  • Spatial descriptions of figures

  • Information that does not rely on color alone

  • WCAG AA color contrast

  • Support for reduced-motion preferences

KEEP THE LEARNING GOING

Try more free educational math games:

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