Pattern recognition

Spotting similarities between problems so we can reuse solutions

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Try each question. If you're stuck, leave it and come back. The answer key is on the last page.

1
What is pattern recognition in computing? A) Spotting similarities between problems so we can use the same solution B) Looking at the patterns on someone's jumper C) Recognising your friends' faces D) Drawing pretty pictures
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2
Find the pattern. The next number in: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___ is... The next number in 2, 4, 6, 8, ___ is...
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3
True or false? Pattern recognition can save time because you do not have to solve every problem from scratch. A) True B) False
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4
What is pattern recognition? A) Spotting things that repeat or are similar B) Drawing a square C) Adding numbers D) Saving a file
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5
You have written a program that adds up all the numbers 1 to 10. What other problem could use almost the same code? A) Adding up all the numbers 1 to 100 B) Drawing a circle on screen C) Playing a sound D) Choosing a random colour
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6
Match each pair of problems that share the same pattern. Match each item on the left to one on the right. Left: Find the biggest of 3 numbers, Count vowels in a word, Average of 5 test scores, Draw a square Right: Find the biggest of 100 numbers, Count vowels in a sentence, Average of 30 test scores, Draw a hexagon
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7
Spot the pattern. Put these letters in the order they continue the sequence A, C, E, G, ___ , ___. Put these in order: K, I
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8
Which of these is NOT a pattern you might spot when programming? A) The colour of your keyboard keys B) Many programs need to ask the user for input C) Counting things often uses a loop D) Checking input often uses an IF
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9
True or false? Pattern recognition and abstraction are both ways of making problems easier to think about. A) True B) False
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10
Which pattern is this: 100, 90, 80, 70? A) Subtract 10 each time B) Add 10 C) Multiply by 2 D) Random
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Answer key

Pattern recognition · for parents and teachers

1
Spotting similarities between problems so we can use the same solution
Pattern recognition means noticing things that are similar between problems. If a new problem looks like an old one, you can reuse the same solution.
2
10
The pattern adds 2 each time, so after 8 comes 10. Spotting the pattern lets you predict any number in the sequence.
3
True
Yes. Once you spot a pattern, you can adapt your old solution instead of starting again. This saves a lot of time.
4
Spotting things that repeat or are similar
Pattern recognition means spotting things that are the same or repeat.
5
Adding up all the numbers 1 to 100
Both problems add up a range of numbers. The pattern is identical, so the same code works with one tiny change.
6
Find the biggest of 3 numbers → Find the biggest of 100 numbers; Count vowels in a word → Count vowels in a sentence; Average of 5 test scores → Average of 30 test scores; Draw a square → Draw a hexagon
These pairs share the same algorithm. The pattern is the same, just applied to bigger or different input.
7
I, K
The pattern skips a letter each time: A, C (skip B), E (skip D), G (skip F), I (skip H), K (skip J).
8
The colour of your keyboard keys
Keyboard colour is not a pattern in programming. The other options describe real, reusable patterns that appear in many programs.
9
True
Yes. Pattern recognition spots similar problems. Abstraction hides unimportant detail. Both make hard problems easier to solve.
10
Subtract 10 each time
Each number is 10 less than the one before. Rule: subtract 10.