Kindergarten Worksheets / FREE Printable Worksheets - Worksheetfun - Free Printable

Let's solve the "Number Trains" puzzle step by step.

Task:

Fill in the missing numbers in each row of the train, where each train has a sequence of numbers with some missing. The trains show a pattern from the first number to the last.

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Observation:

Each train starts with a number and ends with another number. There are 4 cars in each train (including the engine), so there are 3 missing numbers between the first and last number.

We need to find the pattern — likely counting up by a consistent amount.

Let’s go through each train:

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Train 1:

Starts at 1, ends at 5
We have: 1, _, _, _, 5
There are 4 spaces (including the engine and the last car). So we're filling 3 missing numbers between 1 and 5.

Let’s count how many steps:
- From 1 to 5 is 4 numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 → but only 4 boxes shown (engine + 3 cars + final car = 5 total cars)

Wait — let's look closely:

Each train has:
- Engine (with number)
- Then 3 empty cars
- Then one final car with a number

So total of 4 cars (including the engine) — but the engine is labeled, then 3 blank cars, then the last car is labeled.

Wait — actually, looking at the image layout:

It appears:
- Engine with number
- Then three blank cars
- Then last car with number

But the sequence should be four numbers total? Let's check the spacing.

Actually, it looks like:
- The engine has the first number.
- Then three empty cars.
- Then the last car has the final number.

So there are 4 positions: [first] → [ ] → [ ] → [ ] → [last]

Wait — no, the diagram shows:
- Engine (numbered)
- Then three empty cars
- Then final car (numbered)

So total of 4 cars (engine + 3 cars), but the engine and final car are numbered. So we need to fill 3 missing numbers.

But from start to end, how many numbers?

Let’s take Train 1:
- Starts at 1
- Ends at 5
- 3 missing numbers in between

So sequence: 1, _, _, _, 5 → that’s 5 positions?

Wait — perhaps the engine is separate, and the train has four cars after the engine? No — looking at the drawing, it seems like:

- One engine
- Then three cargo cars (empty)
- Then one final car (with number)

Wait — no! Actually, rechecking:

In each row, it looks like:
- Engine (with number)
- Then three empty cars
- Then one final car (with number)

So total: 4 cars (engine + 3 cars), but the engine is numbered, and the final car is numbered. So we have two numbers given, and three missing in between.

Wait — but that would make five positions: engine, car1, car2, car3, final car.

Yes — that makes sense.

So each train has:
- Engine (number 1)
- Car 1 (blank)
- Car 2 (blank)
- Car 3 (blank)
- Final car (number 5)

So the full sequence is: 1, _, _, _, 5

That’s 5 numbers, with the first and last known.

So we’re missing 3 numbers in between.

Now, what’s the pattern?

From 1 to 5 — difference of 4 over 4 intervals → so increasing by 1 each time.

So:
- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Thus, missing numbers: 2, 3, 4

✔ Train 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

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Train 2:

Starts at 6, ends at 10
Sequence: 6, _, _, _, 10

Difference: 10 - 6 = 4 → over 4 steps → increase by 1 each time.

So: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Missing: 7, 8, 9

✔ Train 2: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

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Train 3:

Starts at 11, ends at 15
11, _, _, _, 15

Difference: 15 - 11 = 4 → increase by 1

So: 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

Missing: 12, 13, 14

✔ Train 3: 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

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Train 4:

Starts at 16, ends at 20
16, _, _, _, 20

20 - 16 = 4 → +1 each step

So: 16, 17, 18, 19, 20

Missing: 17, 18, 19

✔ Train 4: 16, 17, 18, 19, 20

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Train 5:

Starts at 21, ends at 25
21, _, _, _, 25

25 - 21 = 4 → +1 each step

So: 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

Missing: 22, 23, 24

✔ Train 5: 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

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Train 6:

Starts at 26, ends at 30
26, _, _, _, 30

30 - 26 = 4 → +1 each step

So: 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

Missing: 27, 28, 29

✔ Train 6: 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

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✔ Final Answer:

All trains follow the pattern of counting up by 1, since the difference between first and last number is always 4, and there are 4 steps (from first to second, second to third, etc.).

So the missing numbers are:

1. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
2. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
3. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
4. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
5. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25
6. 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

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📌 Summary:

The pattern is counting by ones from the starting number to the ending number. Each train increases by 1 per car.

You can verify:
- 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5
- 6 → 7 → 8 → 9 → 10
- And so on...

This is a great exercise for practicing sequential counting and number patterns!

Let me know if you'd like a printable version or help with variations!