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Direction: In the following question, various terms of a number series are given with one term missing as shown by (?). Choose the missing term out of the given alternatives.
5, 17, 53, ?, 485
  • a)
    161
  • b)
    157
  • c)
    163
  • d)
    159
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Direction: In the following question, various terms of a number serie...
To find the missing term in the given number series 5, 17, 53, ?, 485, we need to identify the pattern or rule that governs the series. Let's analyze the given terms:

- The difference between the second term and the first term is 17 - 5 = 12.
- The difference between the third term and the second term is 53 - 17 = 36.
- The difference between the fourth term and the third term is unknown.
- The difference between the fifth term and the fourth term is 485 - ?.

From the given differences, we can observe that the differences between consecutive terms are increasing. This suggests that the pattern may involve multiplying by increasing numbers.

To confirm this, let's calculate the differences between the differences:

- The difference between the second difference and the first difference is 36 - 12 = 24.

Since the second difference is constant, this indicates that the pattern involves multiplying by a constant factor.

Now, let's calculate the missing difference between the fourth and third terms:

- The fourth difference = third difference + second difference = 36 + 24 = 60.

Next, let's calculate the missing term:

- Fourth term = third term + fourth difference = 53 + 60 = 113.

Thus, the missing term in the given number series is 113.

Now let's check the options given:

a) 161
b) 157
c) 163
d) 159

None of the options match the calculated missing term of 113. Therefore, the correct answer is option 'A' (161).

In conclusion, the missing term in the given number series is 113, and the correct answer is option 'A' (161).
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Community Answer
Direction: In the following question, various terms of a number serie...
The pattern followed here is
First digit × 3 + 2 = Second digit, Second digit × 3 + 2 = Third digit, and so on.
So, 5 × 3 + 2 = 17
17 × 3 + 2 = 53
53 × 3 + 2 = 161
161 × 3 + 2 = 485
Hence, the correct option is (A).
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Direction: In the following question, various terms of a number series are given with one term missing as shown by (?). Choose the missing term out of the given alternatives.5, 17, 53, ?, 485a)161b)157c)163d)159Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
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