Consecutives

Some numbers can be made by adding consecutive numbers together. Here are some examples;

3 + 4 = 7

4 + 5 = 9 or 2 + 3 + 4 =9

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 = 10

These three numbers can all be written as the sum of two or more consecutive numbers.

Investigate which other numbers can be made in this way.

Which numbers cannot be made using consecutive numbers? Can you recognise a pattern in these numbers? Does this help you to predict other numbers that can’t be made?		What is special about the way even numbers are made using consecutive integers? What

Some numbers can be made in more than one way by adding consecutive numbers. What do these numbers have in common?		Can 1042 be made using any combination of consecutives? How do you know? Can you think of a rule to help you decide which numbers can be made?
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Key Stage 1

What numbers can you make by adding numbers that are next to each other on a number line?

Can you spot a pattern?

Try adding three in a row.

What happens if you subtract numbers that are next to each other? Investigate.