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15 Number Series Questions and Answers
15 solved Number Series questions with step-by-step explanations. Includes formulas, shortcuts, and tips for placement tests and competitive exams.
Number series questions test your ability to identify patterns and predict the next term in a sequence. These are common in logical reasoning sections of placement and competitive exams. The patterns can be arithmetic (+2, +5, -3), geometric (×2, ÷3), or more complex involving alternating operations, squares, cubes, or combinations. A systematic approach — checking differences between consecutive terms, then ratios, then higher-order patterns — is the most reliable method. Below are solved number series questions with explanations to sharpen your pattern recognition skills.
Find the next number: 5, 30, 14, 26, 14, 30, ?
Find the next number: 3, 7, 11, 15, 19, ?
Find the next number: 11, 20, 15, 27, 12, 34, ?
Find the next number: 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, ?
Find the next number: 9, 24, 7, 35, 14, 35, ?
Find the next number: 11, 15, 19, 23, 27, ?
Find the next number: 10, 25, 7, 23, 14, 26, ?
Find the next number in the pattern: 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, ?
Find the next number: 6, 23, 17, 29, 19, 37, ?
Find the next number in the pattern: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, ?
Find the next number: 11, 21, 14, 34, 17, 34, ?
Find the next number in the pattern: 4, 12, 36, 108, 324, ?
Find the next number: 9, 23, 9, 27, 12, 35, ?
Find the next number in the pattern: 5, 15, 45, 135, 405, ?
Find the next number: 5, 20, 17, 29, 9, 31, ?
Key Takeaways
- Always check differences first — they reveal the underlying pattern.
- If differences don't help, check ratios between consecutive terms.
- Look for alternating patterns, square/cube sequences, or combined rules.
- Practice is key: the more patterns you see, the faster you recognize them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I solve number series questions?
First check the difference between consecutive terms. If differences form a pattern (constant, increasing, or themselves a series), that reveals the rule. If not, check ratios. If neither works, look for alternating patterns, squares, cubes, or combination rules.
What are common number series patterns?
Arithmetic (+/- constant), Geometric (×/÷ constant), Square/Cube patterns, Fibonacci-like (sum of previous two), Alternating (two interleaved series), and Mixed (combination of arithmetic and geometric).
More Number Series Practice Resources
For more number series practice, try our timed quiz mode that generates fresh questions every session.