1.

Number Series
A number series is a collection of numbers which follow a particular pattern or rule. The pattern followed by
the numbers in the series remains same throughout. Each number in a number series is called a term.
In problems, a number series is given with one or two terms missing therein. The missing term can be either
at the end or in the middle or even at the beginning of the series. The missing term is normally indicated by a
blank or by a question mark. Students are required to identify the pattern followed by the terms in the series
and find the missing number. Since the pattern followed by each series is different, it is not possible to give a
general formula or technique to solve the problems. Students should observe the terms in the series carefully
and find out the pattern followed. They should ensure that the pattern identified by them holds throughout
the series. Finally, they should apply the pattern and find the missing term. They are required to select the
correct answer from the given options only.
It is advisable that the students are familiar with squares and cubes of natural numbers, at least from 2 to 20.
This makes the identification of pattern easy as well as fast. Further, students are required to practice more
and more problems to gain speed.

Worked Examples
1. 2 5 8 11 14 17 __
Analysis:
In this problem each term is obtained by adding 3 to its previous term. In other words, the difference
between any two consecutive terms remains constant and it is 3.
In shortcut, the pattern is indicated as under.
2 5 8 11 14 17 20

+3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3

Answer: 20

2. 3 4 6 9 13 18 __
Analysis:
In this problem, the difference between two consecutive terms is constantly increasing by 1.
In shortcut, the pattern is indicated as under.
3 4 6 9 13 18 24

+1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6

Answer: 24
Note: From now onwards, we use only shortcut method to explain the pattern followed.

3. 4 8 16 32 64 __
Analysis:
4 8 16 32 64 128

×2 ×2 ×2 ×2 ×2

Answer: 128

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4. 729 243 81 27 __ 3
Analysis:
729 243 81 27 9 3

÷3 ÷3 ÷3 ÷3 ÷3

Answer: 9

5. 2 5 11 23 47 95 __
Analysis:
2 5 11 23 47 95 191

×2+1 ×2+1 ×2+1 ×2+1 ×2+1 ×2+1

Answer: 191
This problem can be solved by alternate method also.
2 5 11 23 47 95 191

+3 +6 + 12 + 24 + 48 + 96

In this pattern, the difference between two consecutive terms is doubling in each step.
From the above it is clear that the same problem can be tackled in different methods. So, different
patterns can be identified for the same problem in certain cases.

6. 1 2 5 16 65 __
Analysis:
1 2 5 16 65 326

×1+1 ×2+1 ×3+1 ×4+1 ×5+1

Answer: 326

7. 1 2 6 21 88 __
Analysis:
1 2 6 21 88 445

×1+1 ×2+2 ×3+3 ×4+4 ×5+5

Answer: 445

8. 126 62 30 14 __ 2
Analysis:
126 62 30 14 6 2

÷2−1 ÷2−1 ÷2−1 ÷2−1 ÷2−1

Answer: 6

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9. 2 3 5 7 11 13 __
Analysis:
In this problem the terms are consecutive prime numbers. The next Prime after 13 is 17. Hence the
missing term is 17.
Answer: 17

10. 2 5 11 17 23 31 __
Analysis:
In this problem the terms are alternate prime numbers. 37 and 41 are the next two prime numbers after
31. By skipping 37, we should take 41 as the correct missing number.
Answer: 41

11. 1 4 9 16 25 __
Analysis:
All the terms in the above problem are perfect squares of natural numbers. Hence, the missing number is
36. In short cut method, the pattern is indicated as under
1 4 9 16 25 36
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
12 22 32 42 52 62
Answer: 36

12. 5 10 17 26 __ 50
Analysis:
5 10 17 26 37 50
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
22 + 1 32 + 1 42 + 1 52 + 1 62 + 1 72 + 1
Answer: 37

13. 2 6 12 20 30 42 __
Analysis:
2 6 12 20 30 42 56
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
12 + 1 22 + 2 32 + 3 42 + 4 52 + 5 62 + 6 72 + 7
Answer: 56
The above problem can be tackled by different methods also.
Alternate method 1
2 6 12 20 30 42 56

+4 +6 +8 +10 +12 +14

Alternate method 2
2 6 12 20 30 42 56
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
1×2 2×3 3×4 4×5 5×6 6×7 7×8

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Alternate method 3
2 6 12 20 30 42 56
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
22 − 2 32 − 3 42 − 4 52 − 5 62 − 6 72 − 7 82 − 8
In all the methods, we get 56 as correct answer.

14. 2 9 28 65 126 __
Analysis:
2 9 28 65 126 217
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
13 + 1 23 + 1 33 + 1 43 + 1 53 + 1 63 + 1
Answer: 217

15. 2 12 36 80 150 __
Analysis:
2 12 36 80 150 252
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
13 + 12 23 + 22 33 + 32 43 + 42 53 + 52 63 + 62
Answer: 252

16. 11 13 17 25 32 __ 47

Analysis:
This is a tricky problem. If we analyse the first four terms, it appears as if the difference between two
consecutive terms keeps on doubling in each stage. But this pattern does not hold between the
consecutive terms 25 and 32. Hence, we should think of some different pattern.
Take any term. Find the sum of digits of the term and add it to the same term. We get the next term. This
pattern continues throughout the series. By applying this pattern, we can find the missing term as 37.
11 13 17 25 32 37 47

+ (1 + 1) + (1 + 3) + (1 + 7) + (2 + 5) + (3 + 2) + (3 + 7)

Answer: 37

17. 13 16 22 26 38 62 – 102
Analysis:
In this problem, product of the digits of a term is added to the term to get the next term.

13 16 22 26 38 62 74 102

+ (1 × 3) + (1 × 6) + (2 × 2) + (2 × 6) + (3 × 8) + (6 × 2) + (7 × 4)

Answer: 74

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18. 4 5 9 18 34 – 95

Analysis:
4 5 9 18 34 59 95

1 4 9 16 25 36
(12) (22) (32) (42) (52) (62)

Answer: 59

19. 2 3 4 6 12 – 156
Analysis:
2 3 4 6 12 36 156

+1 +1 +2 +6 + 24 + 120

×1 ×2 ×3 ×4 ×5

Answer: 36

20. 2 3 10 15 26 35 –
Analysis:
2 3 10 15 26 35 50
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
12 + 1 22 – 1 32 + 1 42 – 1 52 + 1 62 – 1 72 + 1
Answer : 50

21. 2 6 15 64 315 –
Analysis:

2 6 15 64 315 1896

×2+2 ×3–3 ×4+4 ×5–5 ×6+6

Answer: 1896

22. 1 2 3 3 5 5 7 7 9 11 – –

Analysis:
We do not notice any common pattern in the above series. On close observation, we notice that it is a
combination of two series. We shall take the terms only at odd numbered positions and analyse the
pattern first.
1 3 5 7 9 11

+2 +2 +2 +2 +2

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Now, we shall take the numbers at even numbered positions and analyse the pattern.
2 3 5 7 11 –
The terms are consecutive prime numbers. Hence, the missing number in this series is 13, which is the
next prime number
Answer: 11, 13
This type of series is called twin series or combination or dual or mixed series.

23. 1 2 2 3 6 5 24 8 120 –
Analysis:
This problem is again a combination series. Take alternate terms and analyse the pattern. The terms at
odd numbered positions follow the pattern given below.

1 2 6 24 120

×2 ×3 ×4 ×5

The terms at even numbered positions can be analysed as under

2 3 5 8 12

+1 +2 +3 +4

Hence, the missing number is 12

Answer: 12

24. 4 12 15 60 64 320 325

Analysis:

4 12 15 60 64 320 325 1950

×3 +3 ×4 +4 ×5 +5 ×6

Answer: 1950

25. 61 52 63 94 46
Analysis:
This is a tricky problem. Closely observe each term of the series. On interchanging the digits of each
term, we get a number which is a perfect square of a natural number.
First term is got by interchanging the digits of 42.
Second term is got by interchanging the digits of 52 and so on.
So, we can get the missing term by interchanging the digits of 92. Hence, 18 is the missing number
Answer: 18.

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Exercises
Choose the correct answer from the given options.

1. 9 7 14 11 33 28 ___ 133 931

(1) 64 (2) 46 (3) 140 (4) 123 (5) 96

2. 6 12 23 44 85 ___
(1) 166 (2) 174 (3) 165 (4) 168 (5) 184

3. 80 62 46 ___ 20
(1) 36 (2) 40 (3) 38 (4) 32 (5) 28

4. 92 23 27 9 12 6 ___
(1) 20 (2) 16 (3) 8 (4) 10 (5) 18

5. 495 270 126 45 9 ___

(1) 8 (2) 6 (3) 5 (4) 0 (5) 4

6. 6 7 15 46 185 ___
(1) 920 (2) 924 (3) 830 (4) 780 (5) 926

7. 0 5 8 17 24 37 48 ___
(1) 65 (2) 67 (3) 56 (4) 71 (5) 69

8. 999 730 510 345 213 ___

(1) 122 (2) 126 (3) 68 (4) 128 (5) 160

9. 2 5 14 7 3 20 10 4 __ 14
(1) 26 (2) 30 (3) 22 (4) 24 (5) 28

10. 389 338 297 ___ 245

(1) 266 (2) 276 (3) 256 (4) 286 (5) 255

11. 41 42 45 43 54 51 79 78 __ 142
(1) 138 (2) 92 (3) 108 (4) 128 (5) 98

12. 3 7 35 47 ___ 119

(1) 99 (2) 98 (3) 64 (4) 89 (5) 72

13. 9 25 46 73 107 ___

(1) 133 (2) 149 (3) 148 (4) 145 (5) 151

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14. 23 27 43 79 143 ___

(1) 242 (2) 241 (3) 190 (4) 240 (5) 243

15. 5 6 15 50 207 ___

(1) 936 (2) 836 (3) 1034 (4) 1044 (5) 944

16. 901 785 577 325 101 ___

(1) 24 (2) 48 (3) 63 (4) 1 (5) 0

17. 20 40 60 100 220 700 ___

(1) 2620 (2) 2200 (3) 1220 (4) 3100 (5) 1680

18. 32 63 114 185 276 ___

(1) 359 (2) 387 (3) 367 (4) 396 (5) 377

19. 870 342 132 ___ 12 2

(1) 90 (2) 42 (3) 64 (4) 66 (5) 48

20. 2 12 80 ___ 1452

(1) 150 (2) 392 (3) 222 (4) 576 (5) 486

21. 8 20 45 96 199 ___

(1) 420 (2) 406 (3) 408 (4) 256 (5) 326

22. 9 19 35 75 143 ___

(1) 287 (2) 285 (3) 196 (4) 295 (5) 172

23. 930 812 650 420 182 ___

(1) 72 (2) 42 (3) 20 (4) 6 (5) 64

24. 7 9 15 33 87 ___
(1) 195 (2) 149 (3) 294 (4) 259 (5) 249

25. 2 20 110 380 ___

(1) 424 (2) 650 (3) 982 (4) 992 (5) 792

26. 41 12 163 94 365 256 ___

(1) 647 (2) 547 (3) 497 (4) 257 (5) 367

27. 4 8 28 80 244 ___

(1) 378 (2) 428 (3) 624 (4) 728 (5) 628

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28. 1010 738 222 ___

(1) 130 (2) 68 (3) 30 (4) 10 (5) 2

29. 123 135 157 1711 11113 ___

(1) 1314 (2) 1315 (3) 11316 (4) 11317 (5) 11319

30. 256 125 60 ___ 12.5

(1) 26 (2) 40 (3) 28 (4) 25 (5) 24

31. 4 23 122 621 ___

(1) 960 (2) 1296 (3) 1728 (4) 2990 (5) 3120

32. 8 35 120 ___ 728

(1) 195 (2) 223 (3) 323 (4) 313 (5) 296

33. 13 34 85 142 229 322 ___

(1) 404 (2) 435 (3) 365 (4) 445 (5) 488

34. 1 18 75 ___ 405

(1) 186 (2) 196 (3) 216 (4) 204 (5) 194

35. 0 1 32 81 ___ 25 6
(1) 46 (2) 36 (3) 44 (4) 64 (5) 49

36. 6 15 35 77 143 221 323 ___

(1) 437 (2) 427 (3) 384 (4) 365 (5) 416

37. 9 9 14 34 124 ___

(1) 576 (2) 532 (3) 448 (4) 636 (5) 604

38. 18 56 118 210 338 ___

(1) 508 (2) 510 (3) 512 (4) 506 (5) 524

39. 0 14 78 252 ___

(1) 625 (2) 620 (3) 496 (4) 630 (5) 615

40. 21 56 115 204 329 ___

(1) 496 (2) 520 (3) 504 (4) 486 (5) 596

41. 125 216 343 515 723 ___

(1) 754 (2) 683 (3) 845 (4) 814 (5) 824

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42. 7 21 11 33 17 ___
(1) 55 (2) 32 (3) 50 (4) 54 (5) 51

43. 3 6 11 19 32 53 ___
(1) 68 (2) 87 (3) 81 (4) 77 (5) 64

44. 2 26 74 98 146 ___

(1) 170 (2) 194 (3) 188 (4) 208 (5) 196

45. 240 332 118 168 57 86 ___ 45

(1) 28.5 (2) 26.5 (3) 27 (4) 34.5 (5) 32

46. 1260 640 340 200 140 120 ___

(1) 120 (2) 60 (3) 70 (4) 100 (5) 90

47. 840 168 42 14 7 ___

(1) 7 (2) 9 (3) 5 (4) 2 (5) 6

48. 111 108 99 81 72 ___

(1) 63 (2) 57 (3) 67 (4) 53 (5) 51

49. 232 ___ 45 19 12 12

(1) 108 (2) 118 (3) 127 (4) 96 (5) 124

50. 634 314 154 74 ___ 14 4

(1) 44 (2) 28 (3) 34 (4) 24 (5) 42

51. 1729 999 513 215 65 ___

(1) 7 (2) 9 (3) 13 (4) 26 (5) 5

52. 300 303 294 298 282 287 ___

(1) 262 (2) 272 (3) 312 (4) 302 (5) 304

53. 606 201 66 ___ 6 1

(1) 21 (2) 60 (3) 36 (4) 24 (5) 48

54. 3 14 33 ___ 95 138 189

(1) 52 (2) 60 (3) 71 (4) 76 (5) 74

55. 1 1 5 13 41 121 ___

(1) 216 (2) 265 (3) 365 (4) 196 (5) 278

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56. 111 129 183 345 831 ___

(1) 2389 (2) 2379 (3) 2229 (4) 2289 (5) 1662

57. 313 265 230 206 ___ 183

(1) 176 (2) 191 (3) 181 (4) 201 (5) 194

58. 200 200 205 195 215 185 235 165 ___ ___
(1) 125,275 (2) 275,125 (3) 265,145
(4) 295,145 (5) 145,305

59. 163 167 142 147 111 117 ___ 75

(1) 96 (2) 68 (3) 78 (4) 92 (5) 84

60. 2 3 10 24 40 75 ___ ___

(1) 30, 331 (2) 120, 156 (3) 40, 221
(4) 60, 331 (5) 80, 221

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