How to explain skip-counting puzzles in counting problems to your student: Example question for 11+
29 October 2026
Skip-counting puzzles help children spot number patterns and practise counting in equal steps. These puzzles are a key part of 11+ counting problems and build confidence with sequences.
Example question
Count by 4s starting from 4 up to 36. How many numbers are there in this sequence?
Step 1: Write the numbers by adding 4 each time: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36.
Step 2: Count how many numbers are in the list. There are 9 numbers.
Key insight: Each step adds the same amount, so the numbers make a pattern.
Answer: There are 9 numbers when counting by 4s from 4 to 36.
After working through this example, your child will recognise how skip-counting creates a pattern and how to find the total number of numbers in the sequence. They can now try similar skip-counting puzzles to reinforce their understanding.
