Number Series Test 1

Each of these questions shows a series of numbers. Work out the rule or rules used to arrange the numbers. Then select the answer choice that shows the next number in the series.

9    14    19    24    29     →

• 37

• 35

• 34

• 44

• 38

Answer explanation

Explanation:    Each term in the sequence is 5 larger than the previous term. Therefore, the next term in the sequence is 29 + 5 = 34.        

Question Type A: Adding a Constant 

43    36    29    22    15     → 

• 13

• 14

• 17

• 8

• 10

Answer explanation

Explanation:    Each term in the sequence is 7 smaller than the previous term. Therefore, the next term in the sequence is 15 - 7 = 8.

Question Type B: Subtracting a Constant

6    27    39    60    72    93     → 

• 115

• 105

• 109

• 107

• 106

Answer explanation

Explanation:    There is one sequence and the difference between adjacent terms is +21 +12 +21 +12 +21. Therefore, the next term in the sequence is 93 + 12 = 105.

Question Type E: One Sequence - Recurring Pattern

13    23    25    40    37    57     → 

• 48

• 49

• 50

• 59

• 52

Answer explanation

Explanation:    There are two sequences. The first sequence is formed of terms 1, 3, 5 and 7. The second sequence is formed of terms 2, 4 and 6. The first sequence adds 12 to get to the next term. The second sequence adds 17 to get to the next term. Therefore, the next term is 37 + 12 = 49.

Question Type F: Two Sequences - Recurring Pattern

4    4.5    5    5.5    6     →

• 8.5

• 8

• 7

• 9.5

• 6.5

Answer explanation

Explanation:    Each term in the sequence is 0.5 larger than the previous term. Therefore, the next term in the sequence is 6 + 0.5 = 6.5.      

Question Type A: Adding a Constant

6    4    14    9    5    14    12     →

• 14

• 7

• 6

• 1

• 3

Answer explanation

Explanation:    There are three sequences. The first sequence is formed of terms 1, 4 and 7. The second sequence is formed of terms 2, 5 and 8. The third sequence is formed of terms 3 and 6. The first sequence adds 3 to get to the next term. The second sequence adds 1 to get to the next term. The third sequence adds 0 to get to the next term. Therefore, the next term is 5 + 1 = 6.                    

Question Type G: Three Sequences - Recurring Pattern

12    26    42    60    80     →

• 104

• 102

• 105

• 112

• 103

Answer explanation

Explanation:    The difference between each term increases by 2 each time. The difference between the terms is +14 +16 +18 +20. Therefore, the next term is 80 + 22 = 102.

Question Type C: Adding a Variable

24    19    50    40    76    61     →

• 104

• 106

• 102

• 105

• 103

Answer explanation

Explanation:    There are two sequences. The first sequence is formed of terms 1, 3, 5 and 7. The second sequence is formed of terms 2, 4 and 6. The first sequence adds 26 to get to the next term. The second sequence adds 21 to get to the next term. Therefore, the next term is 76 + 26 = 102.

Question Type F: Two Sequences - Recurring Pattern

17    26    35    15    25    33    13    24     → 

• 28

• 33

• 31

• 39

• 24

Answer explanation

Explanation:    There are three sequences. The first sequence is formed of terms 1, 4 and 7. The second sequence is formed of terms 2, 5 and 8. The third sequence is formed of terms 3, 6 and 9. The first sequence subtracts 2 to get to the next term. The second sequence subtracts 1 to get to the next term. The third sequence subtracts 2 to get to the next term. Therefore, the next term is 33 - 2 = 31.

Question Type G: Three Sequences - Recurring Pattern

0    30    58    84    108     →

• 132

• 131

• 133

• 130

• 134

Answer explanation

Explanation:    The difference between each term decreases by 2 each time. The difference between the terms is +30 +28 +26 +24. Therefore, the next term is 108 + 22 = 130.

Question Type C: Adding a Variable