Types of Number series
What is number series?
It is a sequence of numbers that follow a particular pattern, i.e. there is an underlying logic/rule that all elements of that series have to follow.
For example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ….. (each subsequent number in this series is 1 more than the previous number)
You will be much more comfortable in solving such questions, if you acclimatize yourself with numbers. You should know the following to be good in this chapter:
- Squares till 32
- Cubes till 12
- Few concepts of Number System – even/odd, prime numbers etc.
- Few other miscellaneous concepts like Roman Numbers, Fibonacci series etc.
There are two broad categories of questions that are asked in number series:
- Find the missing number in the series
- Find the wrong number in the series
Let’s study them, one by one.
Finding Missing Number in the Number series
Different logics are used to formulate such questions. We should be familiar will most of them, so that we may be able to recognize them in the exam time.
Type 1: Same Number is added/subtracted
In this type of series, the difference between two consecutive numbers is the same.
For example, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ?
Each subsequent number in this series is 2 more than the previous number. So, we are adding 2 to get the next number in the series.
Series which looks addition type in one direction will look subtraction type in reverse direction and vice-versa.
For example, in the previous series: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ?
If we move from right to left, then we can say that each subsequent number in this series is 2 less than the previous number. So, we are subtracting 2 to get the next number in the series.
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
0.5, 2, 3.5, 5, 6.5, 8, ?
(a) 9.5 (b) 10.5 (c) 9.0 (d) 11.0
Explanation:
Pattern:
0.5 + 1.5 = 2
2 + 1.5 = 3.5
3.5 + 1.5 = 5
5 + 1.5 = 6.5
6.5 + 1.5 = 8
8 + 1.5 = 9.5
Next element = Previous element + 1.5
Answer: (a)
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
110, 107, 104, ?, 98, 95
(a) 102 (b) 105 (c) 100 (d) 101
Explanation:
Rule:
Next element = Previous element - 3
So, missing number = 101
Answer: (d)
Sometimes, you may be given numbers in some other form, e.g. Roman numbers. So, you must have familiarity with them.
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
II, V, VIII, XI, XIV, ?, XX
(a) XVI (b) XVII (c) XV (d) XIX
Explanation:
Pattern:
II + 3 = V
V + 3 = VIII
VIII + 3 = XI
XI + 3 = XIV
XIV + 3 = XVII
XVII + 3 = XX
(i.e. Next element = Previous element + 3)
Answer: (b)
Sometimes, couple of numbers may be added/subtracted in alternate fashion.
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
30, 28, 23, 21, ?
(a) 17 (b) 16 (c) 19 (d) 15
Explanation:
Pattern:
30 - 2 = 28
28 - 5 = 23
23 - 2 = 21
21 - 5 = 16
Answer: (b)
Type 2: Number added/subtracted is constantly increased/decreased
In this type of series, number added or subtracted to each term is in increasing or decreasing order.
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
3, 5, 8, 12, 17, ?
(a) 25 (b) 23 (c) 19 (d) 21
Explanation:
In the given ascending series, the difference between two consecutive numbers is in increasing order i.e., 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, respectively.
Pattern:
3 + 2 = 5
5 + 3 = 8
8 + 4 = 12
12 + 5 = 17
17 + 6 = 23
Answer: (b)
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
30, 24, 19, 15, ?
(a) 13 (b) 11 (c) 12 (d) 10
Explanation:
In the given ascending series, the difference between two consecutive numbers is in decreasing order i.e., 6, 5, 4, and 3, respectively.
Pattern:
30 - 6 = 24
24 - 5 = 19
19 - 4 = 15
15 - 3 = 12
Answer: (c)
Type 3: Same Number is multiplied/divided
In this type of series, the ratio between two consecutive numbers is the same. That is, we divide or multiply the previous element by the same number to get the next element in the series.
Series which looks multiplication type in one direction, will look division type in another direction and vice-versa.
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
4, 12, 36, 108, ?
(a) 180 (b) 324 (c) 264 (d) 216
Explanation:
In the given ascending series, the ratio between two consecutive numbers is 3. So, it’s basically a simple multiplication series, if seen from left to right.
Pattern:
4 × 3 = 12
12 × 3 = 36
36 × 3 = 108
108 × 3 = 324
Answer: (c)
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
168, 84, 42, 21, ?
(a) 11 (b) 9.5 (c) 10 (d) 10.5
Explanation:
In the given descending series, the ratio between two consecutive numbers is 2. So, it’s basically a simple division series, if seen from left to right.
Pattern:
168 ÷ 2 = 84
84 ÷ 2 = 42
42 ÷ 2 = 21
21 ÷ 2 = 10.5
Answer: (d)
Sometimes, multiplication/division may be done by a couple of numbers, in alternate fashion.
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
24, 6, 18, 9, 36, 9, 24, ?
(a) 12 (b) 8 (c) 6 (d) 30
(SSC Question)
Explanation:
Pattern:
24 ÷ 4 = 6
18 ÷ 2 = 9
36 ÷ 4 = 9
24 ÷ 2 = 12
Answer: (a)
Type 4: Increasing order Multiplication / Division
In this type of series, elements are multiplied or divided with numbers in increasing/decreasing order to obtain the next element.
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
3, 3, 4.5, 9, 22.5, ?
(a) 24 (b) 27.5 (c) 67.5 (d) 37.5
Explanation:
Pattern:
3 × 1 = 3
3 × 1.5 = 4.5
4.5 × 2 = 9
9 × 2.5 = 22.5
22.5 × 3 = 67.5
Answer: (c)
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
720, ?, 36, 12, 6, 6
(a) 108 (b) 144 (c) 360 (d) 72
(SSC Question)
Explanation:
Pattern:
720 ÷ 5 = 144
144 ÷ 4 = 36
36 ÷ 3 = 12
12 ÷ 2 = 6
6 ÷ 1 = 6
It’s easier to deal with smaller numbers. So, we may start from the right in the given series, to decipher the pattern. Also, as the missing number is right at the beginning, it makes sense to look at this series from right to left.
If seen from right to left, then this series will be an ascending multiplication series.
Answer: (c)
Type 5: Mixed Series
In such series we see a mix of operators being used. That is, instead of just using a single addition, subtraction, multiplication or division operator throughout the series, we use a mix of them. So, obviously the difficulty level goes up.
Let’s have a look at some examples. It will make this more clear to you.
Type 5a: Same multiplication, Same addition
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
5, 11, 23, 47, 95, ?
(a) 185 (b) 191 (c) 192 (d) 188
Explanation:
Next number = Previous number × 2 + 1
Pattern:
(5 × 2) + 1 = 11
(11 × 2) + 1 = 23
(23 × 2) + 1 = 47
(47 × 2) + 1 = 95
(95 × 2) + 1 = 191
Another way to look at it:
The differences between the elements in the series are:
6, 12, 24, 48, 96
(i.e. difference doubles each time)
Answer: (a)
Type 5b: Same multiplication, Increasing addition
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
5, 11, 24, 51, 106, ?
(a) 178 (b) 217 (c) 185 (d) 191
Explanation:
Pattern:
(5 × 2) + 1 = 11
(11 × 2) + 2 = 24
(24 × 2) + 3 = 51
(51 × 2) + 4 = 106
(106 × 2) + 5 = 217
Answer: (b)
Type 5c: Increasing multiplication, Same addition
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
3, 6, 15, 48, ?
(a) 110 (b) 99 (c) 195 (d) 191
Explanation:
Pattern:
(3 × 1) + 3 = 6
(6 × 2) + 3 = 15
(15 × 3) + 3 = 48
(48 × 4) + 3 = 195
Answer: (c)
Type 5d: Increasing multiplication, Increasing addition
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
4, 5, 12, 39, 160, ?
(a) 325 (b) 805 (c) 555 (d) 705
Explanation:
Pattern:
(4 × 1) + 1 = 5
(5 × 2) + 2 = 12
(12 × 3) + 3 = 39
(39 × 4) + 4 = 160
(160 × 5) + 5 = 805
Answer: (b)
Type 5e: Same multiplication, Same subtraction
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
4, 5, 7, 11, 19, 35, ?
(a) 55 (b) 62 (c) 67 (d) 71
Explanation:
Next element = Previous element × 2 – 3
Pattern:
(4 × 2) – 3 = 5
(5 × 2) – 3 = 7
(7 × 2) – 3 = 11
(11 × 2) – 3 = 19
(19 × 2) – 3 = 35
(35 × 2) – 3 = 67
Another way to look at it:
The differences between the elements in the series are:
1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32
(i.e. difference doubles each time)
Answer: (c)
Type 5f: Same multiplication, Increasing subtraction
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
4, 7, 12, 21, 38, ?
(a) 71 (b) 67 (c) 78 (d) 81
Explanation:
Pattern:
(4 × 2) - 1 = 7
(7 × 2) - 2 = 12
(12 × 2) - 3 = 21
(21 × 2) - 4 = 38
(38 × 2) - 5 = 71
Answer: (a)
Type 5g: Increasing multiplication, Same subtraction
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
4, 6, 16, 62, ?
(a) 128 (b) 108 (c) 288 (d) 308
Explanation:
Pattern:
(4 × 2) - 2 = 6
(6 × 3) - 2 = 16
(16 × 4) - 2 = 62
(62 × 5) - 2 = 308
Answer: (d)
Type 5h: Increasing multiplication, Increasing subtraction
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
3, 5, 13, 49, ?
(a) 98 (b) 241 (c) 102 (d) 159
Explanation:
Pattern:
(3 × 2) - 1 = 5
(5 × 3) - 2 = 13
(13 × 4) - 3 = 49
(49 × 5) - 4 = 241
Answer: (b)
Type 5i: Alternate usage of operators
Sometimes, we see alternate usage of addition and subtraction.
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
5, 11, 21, 43, 85, ?
(a) 169 (b) 167 (c) 171 (d) 165
(SSC CGL Question)
Explanation:
1 is added and subtracted alternatively.
Pattern:
(5 × 2) + 1 = 11
(11 × 2) – 1 = 21
(21 × 2) + 1 = 43
(43 × 2) – 1 = 85
(85 × 2) + 1 = 171
Answer: (c)
Similarly, sometimes we see alternate usage of multiplication and division.
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
24, 72, 36, 108, 54, ?
(a) 98 (b) 27 (c) 108 (d) 162
Explanation:
Pattern:
24 × 3 = 72
72 ÷ 2 = 36
36 × 3 = 108
108 ÷ 2 = 54
54 × 3 = 162
Answer: (d)
Type 6: Square / Cube / Root Series
In this type of series, each element is the square, cube or root of a number in a certain sequence.
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
4, 9, 16, 25, 36, ?
(a) 48 (b) 49 (c) 42 (d) 64
Explanation:
Pattern:
$2^2$ = 4
$3^2$ = 9
$4^2$ = 16
$5^2$ = 25
$6^2$ = 36
$7^2$ = 49
Another way to look at it:
The differences between the elements in the series are:
5, 7, 9, 11, 13
(i.e. differences are in Arithmetic Progression)
Answer: (b)
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
8, 27, 64, 125, ?
(a) 216 (b) 224 (c) 169 (d) 286
Explanation:
Pattern:
$2^3$ = 8
$3^3$ = 27
$4^3$ = 64
$5^3$ = 125
$6^2$ = 216
Answer: (a)
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
256, 16, 4, ?
(a) 6 (b) 8 (c) 2 (d) 1
(SSC LDC Question)
Explanation:
Pattern:
$\sqrt{256}$ = 16
$\sqrt{16}$ = 4
$\sqrt{4}$ = 2
Answer: (c)
Type 7: Square / Cube / Root Addition Series
In this type of series, square/cube/root of numbers are added to previous element in a particular manner to obtain the next element.
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
2, 3, 7, 16, 32, ?
(a) 53 (b) 39 (c) 49 (d) 57
Explanation:
Pattern:
2 + $1^2$ = 3
3 + $2^2$ = 7
7 + $3^2$ = 16
16 + $4^2$ = 32
32 + $5^2$ = 57
Answer: (d)
Type 8: Prime Number Series
In this type of series, each element is a prime number in certain sequence.
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
2, 3, 5, 7, 11, ?
(a) 15 (b) 19 (c) 13 (d) 21
Explanation:
The given number series is made up of consecutive prime numbers. The next prime number after 11 is 13.
Answer: (c)
Type 9: Digital Manipulation based Number Series
In this type of series, the digits of each number are operated in a certain way to obtain the next element of the series.
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
88, 64, 24, ?
(a) 12 (b) 8 (c) 16 (d) 15
Explanation:
Pattern:
8 × 8 = 64
6 × 4 = 24
2 × 4 = 8
Answer: (b)
Q. Find the missing number in the following series:
121, 222, 424, ?
(a) 848 (b) 888 (c) 828 (d) 818
(SSC CGL Question)
Explanation:
In the given series, the first and the third digits get doubled each time.
Pattern:
121 → 222
222 → 424
424 → 828
Answer: (c)
Finding Wrong Number in the Number series
The candidate is required to identify the pattern involved in the formation of given series and then find out that number which does not follow the specific pattern of the series.
Q. Find the wrong number in the following series:
102, 101, 98, 93, 86, 74, 66, 53
(a) 66 (b) 74 (c) 70 (d) 54
(SSC CGL Question)
Explanation:
Pattern:
102 - 1 = 101
101 - 3 = 98
98 - 5 = 93
93 - 7 = 86
86 - 9 = 77
77 - 11 = 66
66 - 13 = 53
Answer: (b)
Number Series – Threat?
In some questions deciphering the underlying concept used may prove to be an uphill task. Hence, in exam you should adopt the following strategy, when it comes to attempting series questions (esp. in case of number series):
Read the series and see if any pattern is evident.
If not then do not waste more than 1 minute in any case. Move ahead…
Come back in the second round of the paper and give it another shot.