Step by step
The question
Question: what is the missing number?
46, 42, □, 34.
46, 42, □, 34
1 Find the jumps
2 Find the rule
Every jump is the same: −4.
The rule is: take away 4 each time.
= Rule: take away 4 each time
3 Use the rule
The number before the box is 42.
42 − 4 = 38.
42 − 4 = 38
So the missing number is 38.
= 46, 42, 38, 34
4 Check
One more jump from 38 must give 34.
38 − 4 is 34.
Yes!
It works.
38 − 4 = 34
Let's look back.
First: find the jumps.
Then: find the rule.
Then: use the rule.
Last: check.
Answer
= 46, 42, 38, 34