NUMBER SERIES

Same Number Addition Series

In this type of series, the difference between two consecutive elements is same i.e., each time same
digit/number is added to previous element to obtain the next element.
Ex.1. Replace the question mark () in the following number series.
6, 9, 12, 15, 18,
(a) 21 (b) 20
(c) 19 (d) 22
Sol :
+3 +3 +3 +3 +3
6,  09,  12,  15,  18, 
= 21
Hence, option (a) is the right answer

Increasing Order Addition Series

In this type of series, number added to each term is in increasing order.
Ex.2. Replace the question mark () in the following number series.
7, 12, 19, 28, 39,
(a) 52 (b) 50
(c) 51 (d) 48
Sol :
+5 +7 +9 +11 +13
7,  12,  19,  28,  39, 
=52
Hence, option (a) is the right answer
Same number subtraction series
In this type of series each time the same digit/number is subtracted from previous element to obtain the next
element and thus in such series, the difference between the two consecutive elements is same.

Ex.3. Replace the question mark () in the following number series with suitable option.
48, 43, 38, 33, 28,
(a) 24 (b) 18
(c) 23 (d) 19
Sol.
 Verbal Reasoning 2
-5 -5 -5 -5 -5
48,  43,  38,  33,  28, 
= 23
Hence, option (c) is the right answer

Increasing order subtraction series.

In this type of series, the difference between two consecutive elements is in increasing order.
Ex.4. What comes in place the question mark () in the following number series.
95, 94, 92, 89, 85, 80,
(a) 74 (b) 69
(c) 75 (d) 77
Sol.
-1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6
95,  94,  92,  89,  85,  80, 
= 74
Hence, option (a) is the right answer
Same Number Multiple Series
In this type of series, the ratio between two consecutive elements is same i.e., in this case, every time the
previous element is multiplied by the same digit/ number to obtain the next element.
Ex.5. What comes in place the question mark () in the following number series
4, 12, 36, 108, 324,
(a) 520 (b) 680
(c) 475 (d) 972
4, 12, 36, 108, 324,
Sol.
x3 x3 x3 x3 x3
4,  12,  36,  108,  324, 
= 972
Hence, option (d) is the right answer

Multiplication Series in Increasing Order

In this type of series, elements are multiplied with numbers in increasing order to obtain the next element.
Ex.6. Replace the question mark () in the following number series with suitable option.
3, 3, 4.5, 9, 22.5,
(a) 27.3 (b) 24

EDUZPHERE PUBLICATIONS | ©All Rights Reserved | www.eduzphere.com

 Verbal Reasoning 3
(c) 55 (d) 67.5
Sol.
x1 x1.5 x2 x2.5 x3
3,  3,  4.5,  9,  22.5,
= 67.5
Hence, option (d) is the right answer

Same Number Division Series

In this type of series, each time the previous element is divided by the same digit/number to obtain the next
element.
Ex.7. What comes in place the question mark () in the following number series
336, 168, 84, 42, 21,
(a) 17 (b) 10.5
(c) 15 (d) 14.5
Sol.
÷2 ÷2 ÷2 ÷2 ÷2
336,  168,  84,  42,  21, 
= 21/2 = 10.5
Hence, option (b) is the right answer

Division Series in Increasing Order

In this type of series, elements are divided by numbers in increasing order to obtain the next element.
Ex.8. What comes in place the question mark () in the following number series
7200, 3600, 1200, 300, 60,
(a) 10 (b) 25
(c) 15 (d) 20
Sol.
÷2 ÷3 ÷4 ÷5 ÷6
7200,  3600,  1200,  300,  60, 
= 60/6 = 10
Hence, option (a) is the right answer

Same Number Multiplication and Same Number Addition Series.

In this type of series, the next element is obtained by multiplying the previous number by a certain number
n1 and by adding a certain number n2 in this multiplication.

EDUZPHERE PUBLICATIONS | ©All Rights Reserved | www.eduzphere.com

 Verbal Reasoning 4
Ex.9. What comes in place the question mark () in the following number series
1, 3, 7, 15, 31, 63, 127,
(a) 260 (b) 275
(c) 350 (d) 255

Sol.
1, 3, 7, 15, 31, 63, 127,
(a) 260 (b) 275
(c) 350 (d) 255
Sol.
x2+1 x2+1 x2+1 x2+1 x2+1 x2+1 x2+1
1,  3,  7,  15,  31,  63,  127, 
= 127x2+1=254+1=255
Hence, option (d) is the right answer

Same Number Multiplication and Addition in Increasing Order Series

In this type of series, each previous elements is multiplied by same number while numbers in increasing
order are added respectively, in these multiplications to obtain the next element.
Ex. 10. Replace the question mar () in the given series with suitable option.
5, 11, 24, 51, 106,
(a) 178 (b) 210
(c) 185 (d) 217
Sol.
x2+1 x2+2 x2+3 x2+4 x2+5
5,  11,  24,  51,  106, 
= 106x2+5=212+5=217
Hence, option (d) is the right answer

Increasing Order Multiplication and Same Number Addition Series

In this type of series, each previous element is multiplied respectively by numbers in increasing order and
then a certain number is added in such multiplications to obtain the next element.
Ex.11. Replace the question mark () in the given number series with suitable option.
3, 6, 15, 48, 195,
(a) 978 (b) 897
EDUZPHERE PUBLICATIONS | ©All Rights Reserved | www.eduzphere.com
 Verbal Reasoning 5
(c) 688 (d) 945
Sol.
x1+3 x2+3 x3+3 x4+3 x5+3
3,  6,  15,  48,  95, 
= 195x5+3=975+3=978
Hence, option (a) is the right answer

Increasing Order Multiplication and Increasing Order Addition Series

In this type of series, the previous elements are multiplied respectively by numbers in increasing order and
then numbers in increasing order are respectively added in such multiplications to obtain the next elements.
Ex 12. One number is wrong in the series. Find out the wrong number.
4, 5, 12, 38, 160, 805, 4836
(a) 12 (b) 160
(b) 38 (d) 805
(e) 5
Sol.
x1+1 x2+2 x3+3 x4+4 x5+5 x5+5
4,  5,  12,  38,  160,  805  4836
39
Hence, option (c) is the right answer

Same Number Multiplication and same number Subtraction Series.

In this type of series, each previous element is multiplied by a certain number n1 and then a certain number
n2 is subtracted from this multiplication to obtain each next element.
Ex. 13. In the following series, replace the question mark () with the suitable option.
113, 225, 449, , 1793
(a) 897 (b) 789
(c) 987 (d) 978
Sol.
x2+1 x2+1 x2+1 x2+1
113,  225,  449,  ,  1793
= 449 × 2 - 1 = 898 - 1 = 897
Hence, option (a) is the right answer

Same number multiplication and Increasing order subtraction series.

EDUZPHERE PUBLICATIONS | ©All Rights Reserved | www.eduzphere.com
 Verbal Reasoning 6
In this type of series, each previous element is multiplied by a certain number and then from such
multiplication, numbers in increasing order are subtracted, respectively to obtain each next element.
Ex. 14. What comes in place the question mark () in the following number series
4, 7, 12, 21, 38,
(a) 75 (b) 71
(c) 78 (c) 77
Sol.
4,  7,  12,  21,  38, 
x2-1 x2-2 x2-3 x2-4 x2-5
= 38 × 2 - 5 = 76 - 5 = 71
Hence, option (b) is the right answer

Increasing order Multiplication and same Number Subtraction Series

In this type of series, each previous element in multiplied by numbers in increasing order respectively and
then from such multiplications, a certain number is subtracted to obtain each next element.
Ex. 15. What comes in place the question mark () in the following number series
4, 6, 16, 62, 308,
(a) 990 (b) 1721
(c) 698 (d) 1846

Sol.
4,  6,  16,  62,  380, 
x2-2 x3-2 x4-2 x5-2 x6-2
= 380 × 6 - 2 = 1848 - 2 = 1946
Hence, option (d) is the right answer

Increasing Order Multiplication and Increasing Order Subtraction Series.

In this type of series, previous elements are multiplied respectively by numbers in increasing and then
number in increasing order are subtracted respectively from such multiplications to obtain the next
elements.
Ex. 16. What comes in place the question mark () in the following number series
3, 5, 13, 49, 241,
(a) 1541 (b) 4411
(c) 1600 (d) 1441
Sol.
EDUZPHERE PUBLICATIONS | ©All Rights Reserved | www.eduzphere.com
 Verbal Reasoning 7
3,  5,  13,  49,  241, 
x2-1 x3-2 x4-3 x5-4 x6-5
= 241 × 6 - 5 = 1446 - 5 = 1441
Hence, option (d) is the right answer

Multiplication and Division Series

In this type of sereis, each next element is obtained by the operation of multiplication and division
alternatively.
Ex. 17. Replace the question mark () in the given series with the suitable option
24, 72, 36, 108, 54,
(a) 145 (b) 162
(c) 158 (d) 165
Sol.
24,  72,  36,  108,  54 
x3 ÷2 x3 ÷2 x3
= 54 × 3 = 162
Hence, option (b) is the right answer
Square Series
In this type of series, each element is square of a number in a certain sequence.
Ex. 18. Replace the question mark () in the series given below with the suitable option.
1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36,
(a) 49 (b) 38
(c) 41 (d) 35
Sol.
1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36,
      
(1)2 22 32 42 52 62 72
= 72 = 49
Hence, option (a) is the right answer
Cube Series.
In this type of series, each element is the cube of a number in a certain sequence.
Ex. 19. Replace the question mark () in the series given below with the suitable option.
1, 8, 27, 64, 125,
(a) 155 (b) 216
(c) 210 (d) 177

EDUZPHERE PUBLICATIONS | ©All Rights Reserved | www.eduzphere.com

 Verbal Reasoning 8
Sol.
1, 8, 27, 64, 125,
     
13 23 33 43 53 63
= 63 = 216
Hence, option (b) is the right answer

Square Addition Series

In this type of series, square of numbers in a particular manner are added, respectively to each element to
obtain the next element.
Ex. 20. Replace the question mark () in the series given below with suitable option.
2, 3, 7, 16, 32,
Sol.
2, 3, 7, 16, 32,
    
+12 +22 +32 +42 +52
32 + 52 = 32 + 25 = 57
Hence, option (a) is the right answer

Cube Addition Series

In this type of series, cube of numbers in a particular manner are added, respectively to each element to
obtain the next element.
Ex. 21. What comes in place the question mark () in the series given below
1, 2, 10, 37, 101,
Sol.
1, 2, 10, 37, 101,
    
+1 +2 +3 +4 +53
3 3 3 3

= 101 + 53 = 101 + 125 = 226

Hence, option (a) is the right answer

Prime Number Series

In this type of series, each element is prime number in certain sequence.
Ex. 22. What replace the question mark () in the following number series
2, 3, 5, 7, 11,

EDUZPHERE PUBLICATIONS | ©All Rights Reserved | www.eduzphere.com

 Verbal Reasoning 9
(a) 14 (b) 15
(c) 13 (d) 17
Sol.
2, 3, 5, 7, 11,
Next prime Number is 13
Hence, option (c) is the right answer.

Digital operation of Number Series

In this type of series, the digits of each number are
operated in a certain way to obtain the next elements of the series.
Ex. 23. What replace the question mark () in the series given below
88,  64,  24, 
8x8 6x4 2x4
=2x4=8
Hence, option (a) is the right answer.

Mixed Combination Series

In this type of series, odd place elements make one series while the even place elements make another
series.
Ex.24. Replace the question mark () in the following number series.
5, 25, 7, 22, 9, 19, 11,
(a) 15 (b) 14
(c) 13 (d) 16
-3 -3 -3

5, 25, 7, 22, 9, 19, 11, ?

+2 +2 +2

= 19 - 3 = 16
Hence, option (d) is the right answer.

Wrong Number in Series

In this type of questions, a series of number is given which follow a certain pattern and one of its term is
incorrect and does not fit into the series. The candidate is required to identify the pattern involved in the
formation of series and then find out the number which does not follow the specific pattern of the series.
This particular number is the wrong term in the series and is your required answer.
Ex. 25. In the following number series, only one number is wrong. Find out the wrong number.
EDUZPHERE PUBLICATIONS | ©All Rights Reserved | www.eduzphere.com
 Verbal Reasoning 10
1, 4, 25, 256, 3125, 46656, 823543
(a) 3125 (b) 823543
(c) 46656 (d) 25
Sol.
27
1, 4, 25, 256, 3125, 46656, 823543
11 22 33 44 55 66 77
Hence, option (d) is the demanded answer

EDUZPHERE PUBLICATIONS | ©All Rights Reserved | www.eduzphere.com

 Verbal Reasoning 11

Practice Problem

1. What comes in place of question mark () in the 6. Replace the question mark () in the series given
series given below. below with the correct option.
4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 4, 5, 7, 11, 19, 35
(A) 18 (B) 21 (A) 67 (B) 76
(C) 19 (D) 24 (C) 55 (D) 45

2. What comes in place of question mark () in the 7. In the following series replace the question
following number series mark () with the suitable option.
2, 3, 5, 8, 12, 17 10, 9, 16, 45, 176,
(A) 23 (B) 19 (A) 815 (B) 222
(C) 18 (D) 25 (C) 555 (D) 875

3. Replace the question mark () in the following 8. Replace the question mark () in the given series
number series with the suitable option. with the suitable option.
5, 11, 23, 47, 95, 6, 3, 9, 4.5, 13.5,
(A) 191 (B) 185 (A) 6.75 (B) 7
(C) 194 (D) 198 (C) 8.4 (D) 8

4. What comes in place of question mark () in the 9. What comes in place of question mark () in the
following number series given number series
4, 5, 12, 39, 160, 4, 24, 6, 48, 8, 80,
(A) 225 (B) 695 (A) 8 (B) 9
(C) 805 (D) 790 (C) 10 (D) 8

5. In the following series, replace the question 10. What comes in place of question mark () in the
mark () with the suitable option. series given below
5, 10, 8, 12, 11, 14, , 16 62, 64, 30, 32, 14, 16,
(A) 17 (B) 13 (A) 6 (B) 18
(C) 20 (D) 14 (C) 13 (D) 12

Direction : for Q.:

EDUZPHERE PUBLICATIONS | ©All Rights Reserved | www.eduzphere.com

 Verbal Reasoning 12
Find the missing term in each of the following (A) 14 (B) 16
sequence : (C) 18 (D) 24
11. 1, 6, 15, , 45, 66, 91
(A) 25 (B) 26 14. 6, 12, 21, , 48
(C) 27 (D) 28 (A) 33 (B) 38
(C) 40 (D) 45
12. 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 25,
(A) 26 (B) 27 15. 120, 99, 80, 63, 48,
(C) 29 (D) 37 (A) 35 (B) 38
(C) 39 (D) 40
13. 2, 5, 9, , 20, 27

Answer key

1. (D) 4. (C) 7. (D) 10. (A) 13. (A)

2. (A) 5. (D) 8. (A) 11. (D) 14. (A)
3. (A) 6. (A) 9. (C) 12. (C) 15. (A)

Explanations

1. (D) Hence, option (A) is the right answer

+4 +4 +4 +4 +4 Second method
4, 8, 12, 16, 20, ? x2 + 1 x2 + 1
? = 24 x2 + 1 x2 + 1 x2 + 1

2. (A) 5, 11, 23, 47, 95, ?

? = 95  2 + 1 = 190 + 1 = 191
+1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6

2, 3, 5, 8, 12, 17, ?
? = 23 4. (C)
Hence, option (a) is the right answer x2+1 x4+4
x1+1 x3+3 x5+5
3. (A)
4, 5, 12, 39, 160, ?
+6 +12 +24 +48 +96
? = 160  5 + 5 = 800 + 5 = 805
5, 11, 23, 47, 95, ?
? = 191

EDUZPHERE PUBLICATIONS | ©All Rights Reserved | www.eduzphere.com

 Verbal Reasoning 13
5. (D) 14 - 2 12
?  6
+3 +3 +3 +3 2 2
16
5, 10, 8, 12, 11, 14, ?, Hence, option (A) is the right answer
+2 +2 +2

= 11 + 3 = 14
11. (D)
Hence, option (d) is the right answer 1, 6, 15, ? 45, 66, 91
Second Method
5 9 13 17 21 25
5, 10, 8, 12, 11, 14, ?, 16
So, = 28
+5 –2 +4 –1 +3 –0 +2
? = 14 – 0 = 14 Hence, option (D) is the right answer.
6. (A)
4, 5, 7, 11, 19, 35, ?
12.(C)
x2–3 x2–3 x2–3 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 25, ?
x2–3 x2–3 x2–3
2 4 2 4 2 4
= 35  2 – 3 = 70 – 3 = 67
So, = 29
7. (D)
Hence, option (C) is the right answer.
10, 9, 16, 45, 176, ?

x1–1 x3–3 x5–5

x2–2 x4–4
13.(A)
2, 5, 9, ?, 20, 27
= 176  5 – 5 = 880 – 5 = 875
3 4 5 6 7

8. (A) So, = 14
6, 3, 9, 4.5, 13.5, ?, Hence, option (A) is the right answer.

2 2 2
14.(A)
×3 ×3
6, 12, 21, ?, 48
13.5
?  6.75
2 6 9 12 15

Hence, option (A) is the right answer So, = 21 + 12 = 33

9. (C) Hence, option (A) is the right answer
4, 24, 6, 48, 8, 80, ?

46 48 4  10 15.(A)

120, 99, 80, 63, 48, ?
So, = 10
Hence, option (c) is the right answer –21 –19 –17 –15 –13
10. (A) So, = 35
+2 2 Hence, Option (A) is the right answer.
64,
62, 30, 32, 14, 16, ?
-2  2 -2  2 -2  2

EDUZPHERE PUBLICATIONS | ©All Rights Reserved | www.eduzphere.com