Number sequences with negative numbers
22 October 2026
Number sequences with negative numbers can seem tricky at first. It helps to spot the pattern between each number in the sequence.
Worked example
What is the next number in the sequence: -6, -3, 0, 3,?
Look at the difference between each number.
From -6 to -3 is +3.
From -3 to 0 is +3.
From 0 to 3 is +3.
The sequence goes up by 3 each time.
Add 3 to the last number: 3 + 3 = 6.
The correct answer is 6.
Click or tap on the number line to answer
Now your child can see how to find the next number by looking for a regular increase or decrease. This type of question often appears in 11+ maths, so practising similar sequences will build confidence.
