What this page helps you practise
- number sequences and matrix patterns
- logic arithmetic and symbol problems
- data interpretation and proportional reasoning
- multi-step quantitative reasoning under time pressure
EdutestYear 4Numerical Reasoning
Edutest Year 4 Numerical Reasoning Practice
Year 4 Edutest numerical reasoning focuses on mathematical logic rather than routine school exercises. Students need practice finding patterns quickly and applying number sense under pressure.
Year 4 Numerical Reasoning sample questions with worked solutions
Try each question first, then open the worked solution to check your answer and see how to reach it.
1.Find the missing number: 3, 7, 11, 15, __, 23.
- A17
- B18
- C19
- D20
Show answer and working
Answer: C (19)
Find the gap between the numbers you know: 3 to 7 is +4, 7 to 11 is +4 and 11 to 15 is +4. The rule is add 4, so the missing number is 15 + 4 = 19. Check that the rule continues: 19 + 4 = 23, which matches the last number. Always check your answer against the number after the gap.
2.Find the missing number: 50, 45, 40, 35, __.
- A25
- B30
- C32
- D28
Show answer and working
Answer: B (30)
Each number is 5 less than the one before: 50, 45, 40, 35. The rule is subtract 5, so the next number is 35 − 5 = 30. Counting backwards in fives is the same as reading the five times table in reverse. The answer 25 takes away 10 instead of 5.
3.What is the next number: 1, 2, 4, 8, ...?
- A10
- B12
- C14
- D16
Show answer and working
Answer: D (16)
The gaps in this pattern grow: 1 to 2 is +1, 2 to 4 is +2 and 4 to 8 is +4. Instead of adding the same amount, each number is double the one before: 1 × 2 = 2, 2 × 2 = 4, 4 × 2 = 8. So the next number is 8 × 2 = 16. If adding doesn't work, try multiplying.
4.If A = 1, B = 2, C = 3, what is A + C?
- A2
- B3
- C4
- D5
Show answer and working
Answer: C (4)
The code gives each letter a number in alphabet order: A = 1, B = 2, C = 3. Replace each letter with its number: A + C = 1 + 3 = 4. Questions like this check that you can follow a rule and swap letters for numbers. The answer 3 is just the value of C on its own.
5.What is the next number: 11, 22, 33, 44, ...?
- A50
- B55
- C60
- D66
Show answer and working
Answer: B (55)
Each number goes up by 11: 11, 22, 33, 44. These are the multiples of 11, where both digits match. The next number is 44 + 11 = 55. The answer 50 adds only 6, and 66 skips a step, so check the gap between every pair of numbers before choosing.
6.Find the missing number: 4, 8, 12, __, 20
- A14
- B15
- C16
- D18
Show answer and working
Answer: C (16)
The numbers go up by 4 each time: 4, 8, 12. So the missing number is 12 + 4 = 16, and 16 + 4 = 20 confirms it matches the last number. These are the multiples of 4, the four times table. Checking the number after the gap is a good habit for 'find the missing number' questions.
7.What is the next number: 8, 18, 28, 38, ...?
- A40
- B48
- C50
- D58
Show answer and working
Answer: B (48)
Look at the ones digit: every number ends in 8. The tens go up by 1 each time, so the pattern adds 10: 8, 18, 28, 38. The next number is 38 + 10 = 48. Spotting the repeating ones digit is a quick way to see that a pattern counts by tens.
8.What is the next number: 1, 4, 7, 10, ...?
- A11
- B12
- C13
- D14
Show answer and working
Answer: C (13)
Work out the gap: 1 to 4 is +3, 4 to 7 is +3 and 7 to 10 is +3. The rule is add 3, so the next number is 10 + 3 = 13. Notice this pattern starts at 1, so it is not the three times table (3, 6, 9). The rule is still 'add 3'.
9.What is the next number: 30, 27, 24, 21, ...?
- A20
- B19
- C18
- D17
Show answer and working
Answer: C (18)
The numbers are getting smaller, so the rule involves subtracting. 30 to 27 is −3, 27 to 24 is −3 and 24 to 21 is −3. Subtract 3 again: 21 − 3 = 18. These are the multiples of 3 counting backwards. The answer 19 only subtracts 2.
10.What is the next number: 15, 13, 11, 9, ...?
- A8
- B7
- C6
- D5
Show answer and working
Answer: B (7)
The pattern counts down by 2: 15, 13, 11, 9. All of these are odd numbers, so the next one must be odd too. 9 − 2 = 7. The answer 8 is even and only subtracts 1, which breaks the pattern. Checking whether a pattern is odd or even is a quick way to rule out options.
Preparation strategy
1
Teach students to write down the pattern rule before calculating.
2
Use mixed reasoning sets rather than only curriculum maths drills.
3
Practise pacing because scholarship tests often reward fast recognition.
Frequently asked questions
How is Year 4 numerical reasoning different from maths?
Numerical reasoning tests flexible problem solving and pattern recognition, while school maths often focuses more on taught procedures.
How should Year 4 students prepare?
They should practise number patterns, logic puzzles, data questions, and timed mixed sets.