Understanding Number Series | Science Olympiad Class 6 PDF Download

Introduction

Number Series is a widely asked topic in the Logical Reasoning section of competitive examinations held in India. In these types of questions, there will be a series of numbers given, along with a blank to be filled out. You are given the task of finding out the answer to the blank by figuring out the pattern between the numbers, their predecessor and their successor. It may appear to be a simple task but figuring out the logic behind the pattern is tricky.

Important Patterns of Number Series

• Series with an increasing difference (most commonly asked)
• Series with a constant difference (the difference will be the same) 
• Series with decreasing difference (the difference will be decreasing)
• Perfect squares and cubes of numbers’ series (concept of squares and cubes will be there, either directly or indirectly) 
• Miscellaneous series(which may consist of different operations together like  addition, subtraction, division, etc)

Tips and Tricks to Solve Number Series Questions

The Easiest way to approach number series questions is to observe the difference between the various  terms.
Here are some methods and tips you can use to solve number series questions:

• If you observe carefully a constant difference between the different numbers, it means that the question belongs to the series with a constant degree category. 
• If you observed carefully the difference between the various numbers it is either increasing or decreasing, then the question belongs to either the series with an increasing difference or the series with decreasing difference respectively. 
• In case, you are not able to spot an increasing or decreasing difference between the numbers, try to divide the 2nd term of the series with the first, the 2nd term with the 3rd term and so on. If the answer to the constant division comes as the same number, then this question belongs to the product series. 
• In case, none of the above approach works, you can write every term of the question as to the multiplication of 2 factors and try to spot a pattern between the terms. 
• If you are not able to spot a pattern and the difference between the terms is decreasing or increasing at an accelerated rate, you can try for the square/cube series.