Select the next entry: 10, 21, 41, 83, 165, ?.

Alternate ×2 + 1 and ×2 − 1. The next step is 165 × 2 + 1 = 331.

Jasleen records 43, 46, 52, 62, 77, ? in a number puzzle. What should she record next?

The gaps are 3, 6, 10, 15, followed by 21; their increases are 3, 4, 5, 6. Hence 77 + 21 = 98.

Which number continues 5, −15, 45, −135, ? correctly?

Each term is multiplied by −3. Thus −135 × (−3) = 405.

The blank in 20, 200, 23, 196, 28, 187, 35, 171, ?, 146 belongs to which value?

Odd-position gaps are consecutive primes 3, 5, 7, 11, giving 35 + 11 = 46. Even positions subtract 2², 3², 4², 5².

For 30, 68, 130, 222, 350, calculate the term two places after 350.

The rule is n³ + n for n = 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Two places after base 7 is base 9, giving 9³ + 9 = 738.

After the first three terms, each term equals the sum of the previous three: 3, 6, 8, 17, 31, ? . Complete the sequence.

Use the latest three terms: 8 + 17 + 31 = 56.

A single replacement repairs 90, 91, 83, 110, 47, 171. Which printed term must be replaced?

The changes are +1³, −2³, +3³, −4³, +5³. The correct chain has 110 − 64 = 46, then 46 + 125 = 171, so 47 is wrong.

Which of the following completes 3, 7, 18, 45, 106, ? when the additions are successive squares?

Double the preceding term and add 1², 2², 3², 4², then 5². Thus 106 × 2 + 25 = 237.

A temperature pattern is 6.5, 4.75, 3, 1.25, ? . Determine the next reading.

-0.5. The decrease is 1.75 each time. Therefore 1.25 − 1.75 = −0.5.

In the full prime list starting with 2, Balraj selects primes at positions 2, 4, 7, 11, 16, ... . Which selected prime comes next?

The position gaps are 2, 3, 4, 5, so the next position is 16 + 6 = 22. The 22nd prime is 79.

Follow the changing ratios in 64, 96, 160, 280, 504, 924, ? . Determine the next term.

The ratios are 3/2, 5/3, 7/4, 9/5, 11/6: numerators rise by 2 and denominators by 1. Next use 13/7, giving 924 × 13 ÷ 7 = 1716.

The numbers 8000, 5832, 4096, 2744, ? are cubes. Select the missing cube.

The cube bases are 20, 18, 16, 14, then 12. Hence 12³ = 1728.

In 17, 104, 26, 97, 35, 90, 44, 83, ... , what is the sum of the next two terms?

Odd positions rise by 9, giving 53; even positions fall by 7, giving 76. Their sum is 53 + 76 = 129.

Find the continuation after 164, 81, 38.5, 16.25, 4.125.

-2.9375. Halve and subtract 1, 2, 3, 4, then 5. The next term is 4.125 ÷ 2 − 5 = −2.9375.

What number follows 70, 74, 81, 92, 110, 139 if each new difference is the sum of the previous two differences?

The gaps are 4, 7, 11, 18, 29. The next gap is 18 + 29 = 47, so 139 + 47 = 186.

Inspect 48, 80, 120, 169, 224, 288. Which term fails the rule based on successive odd bases?

The terms should be 7² − 1, 9² − 1, 11² − 1, 13² − 1, 15² − 1, 17² − 1. Thus 169 should be 168.

A number game shows 11, 22, 66, 132, 396, 792, ? . Supply the next output.

The multipliers alternate 2 and 3. After ×2 gives 792, use ×3: 792 × 3 = 2376.

Naman forms 2, 7, 16, 39, 94, ? using the same two-term recurrence. Determine the missing term.

Each new term is twice the latest term plus the one before it: 2 × 39 + 16 = 94. Next, 2 × 94 + 39 = 227.

Complete both gaps in 15, 19, 23, 32, 41, ?, ? by choosing the ordered pair.

(57, 73). Each square gap occurs twice: 2², 2², 3², 3², 4², 4². Thus the next terms are 41 + 16 = 57 and 57 + 16 = 73.

Which entry belongs at position 8 in 3, 256, 9, 128, 27, 64, 81, ? when odd and even positions are treated separately?

Odd positions triple, while even positions halve: 256, 128, 64, 32. Position 8 therefore contains 32.

Continue 5, 6, 16, 57, 244, ? by extending both the multiplier and the added square.

Apply ×1 + 1², ×2 + 2², ×3 + 3², ×4 + 4². Next is 244 × 5 + 5² = 1245.

The list 35, 77, 143, 221, 323, ? uses products of neighbouring primes. Choose the next product.

The products are 5×7, 7×11, 11×13, 13×17, 17×19. Next is 19 × 23 = 437.

A calculation chain is 15120, 2520, 504, 126, 42, ? . Find its final quotient.

Divide successively by 6, 5, 4, 3, then 2. Therefore 42 ÷ 2 = 21.

Which term completes 85, 113, 145, 181, ? if each entry adds two consecutive squares?

The entries are 6² + 7², 7² + 8², 8² + 9², 9² + 10². Next is 10² + 11² = 221.

In the sequence 12, 15, 20, 29, 46, 79, ?, find the next term by examining differences twice.

First differences are 3, 5, 9, 17, 33; second differences are 2, 4, 8, 16. The next first difference is 33 + 32 = 65, giving 79 + 65 = 144.

Topic

Number Series MCQ – Part 2 - Topic Guide and MCQs

Part of Reasoning > 01 Number Series - 25 questions, about 25 min, with an explanation after every answer.

Question count

about 25 min

Estimated time

Mixed

Difficulty

02 Nov 2026

Last updated

Quick answer

Number Series MCQ – Part 2 is a topic inside Reasoning (01 Number Series). It runs 25 untimed MCQs - roughly 25 min - and the review explains every answer once you submit.

Topic introduction

What Number Series MCQ – Part 2 covers

The shape of the set before you start it.

Number Series MCQ – Part 2 sits inside Reasoning, under the 01 Number Series lane, and the portal keeps it as one self-contained set: 25 questions, four options each, no clock and a written explanation behind every answer.

Attempt it once to find the gaps, read why each distractor is wrong, then retake the same set a few days later. The questions you miss twice are the ones worth writing down.

Curated by Gurpreet Singh · Punjab Police SI, Rank 2 (713/800) · Founder, House of Aspirants · Read his story →

Question bank

Number Series MCQ – Part 2: all 25 questions

Read the question, pick an option, then open the answer.

Select the next entry: 10, 21, 41, 83, 165, ?.
1. 330
2. 331
3. 329
4. 332
Show answer

Answer: (B) 331

Explanation: Alternate ×2 + 1 and ×2 − 1. The next step is 165 × 2 + 1 = 331.
Jasleen records 43, 46, 52, 62, 77, ? in a number puzzle. What should she record next?
1. 102
2. 99
3. 97
4. 98
Show answer

Answer: (D) 98

Explanation: The gaps are 3, 6, 10, 15, followed by 21; their increases are 3, 4, 5, 6. Hence 77 + 21 = 98.
Which number continues 5, −15, 45, −135, ? correctly?
1. -405
2. -270
3. 405
4. 270
Show answer

Answer: (C) 405

Explanation: Each term is multiplied by −3. Thus −135 × (−3) = 405.
The blank in 20, 200, 23, 196, 28, 187, 35, 171, ?, 146 belongs to which value?
1. 48
2. 46
3. 44
4. 42
Show answer

Answer: (B) 46

Explanation: Odd-position gaps are consecutive primes 3, 5, 7, 11, giving 35 + 11 = 46. Even positions subtract 2², 3², 4², 5².
For 30, 68, 130, 222, 350, calculate the term two places after 350.
1. 730
2. 738
3. 520
4. 720
Show answer

Answer: (B) 738

Explanation: The rule is n³ + n for n = 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Two places after base 7 is base 9, giving 9³ + 9 = 738.
After the first three terms, each term equals the sum of the previous three: 3, 6, 8, 17, 31, ? . Complete the sequence.
1. 54
2. 48
3. 62
4. 56
Show answer

Answer: (D) 56

Explanation: Use the latest three terms: 8 + 17 + 31 = 56.
A single replacement repairs 90, 91, 83, 110, 47, 171. Which printed term must be replaced?
1. 110
2. 171
3. 47
4. 83
Show answer

Answer: (C) 47

Explanation: The changes are +1³, −2³, +3³, −4³, +5³. The correct chain has 110 − 64 = 46, then 46 + 125 = 171, so 47 is wrong.
Which of the following completes 3, 7, 18, 45, 106, ? when the additions are successive squares?
1. 237
2. 228
3. 248
4. 236
Show answer

Answer: (A) 237

Explanation: Double the preceding term and add 1², 2², 3², 4², then 5². Thus 106 × 2 + 25 = 237.
A temperature pattern is 6.5, 4.75, 3, 1.25, ? . Determine the next reading.
1. -1.25
2. -0.5
3. 0.5
4. -0.25
Show answer

Answer: (B) -0.5

Explanation: The decrease is 1.75 each time. Therefore 1.25 − 1.75 = −0.5.
In the full prime list starting with 2, Balraj selects primes at positions 2, 4, 7, 11, 16, ... . Which selected prime comes next?
1. 79
2. 83
3. 71
4. 73
Show answer

Answer: (A) 79

Explanation: The position gaps are 2, 3, 4, 5, so the next position is 16 + 6 = 22. The 22nd prime is 79.
Follow the changing ratios in 64, 96, 160, 280, 504, 924, ? . Determine the next term.
1. 1584
2. 1716
3. 1848
4. 1386
Show answer

Answer: (B) 1716

Explanation: The ratios are 3/2, 5/3, 7/4, 9/5, 11/6: numerators rise by 2 and denominators by 1. Next use 13/7, giving 924 × 13 ÷ 7 = 1716.
The numbers 8000, 5832, 4096, 2744, ? are cubes. Select the missing cube.
1. 1728
2. 1000
3. 1331
4. 2197
Show answer

Answer: (A) 1728

Explanation: The cube bases are 20, 18, 16, 14, then 12. Hence 12³ = 1728.
In 17, 104, 26, 97, 35, 90, 44, 83, ... , what is the sum of the next two terms?
1. 122
2. 136
3. 127
4. 129
Show answer

Answer: (D) 129

Explanation: Odd positions rise by 9, giving 53; even positions fall by 7, giving 76. Their sum is 53 + 76 = 129.
Find the continuation after 164, 81, 38.5, 16.25, 4.125.
1. 2.0625
2. -2.0625
3. -1.9375
4. -2.9375
Show answer

Answer: (D) -2.9375

Explanation: Halve and subtract 1, 2, 3, 4, then 5. The next term is 4.125 ÷ 2 − 5 = −2.9375.
What number follows 70, 74, 81, 92, 110, 139 if each new difference is the sum of the previous two differences?
1. 197
2. 186
3. 178
4. 168
Show answer

Answer: (B) 186

Explanation: The gaps are 4, 7, 11, 18, 29. The next gap is 18 + 29 = 47, so 139 + 47 = 186.
Inspect 48, 80, 120, 169, 224, 288. Which term fails the rule based on successive odd bases?
1. 169
2. 120
3. 224
4. 288
Show answer

Answer: (A) 169

Explanation: The terms should be 7² − 1, 9² − 1, 11² − 1, 13² − 1, 15² − 1, 17² − 1. Thus 169 should be 168.
A number game shows 11, 22, 66, 132, 396, 792, ? . Supply the next output.
1. 1584
2. 1188
3. 2382
4. 2376
Show answer

Answer: (D) 2376

Explanation: The multipliers alternate 2 and 3. After ×2 gives 792, use ×3: 792 × 3 = 2376.
Naman forms 2, 7, 16, 39, 94, ? using the same two-term recurrence. Determine the missing term.
1. 188
2. 211
3. 227
4. 230
Show answer

Answer: (C) 227

Explanation: Each new term is twice the latest term plus the one before it: 2 × 39 + 16 = 94. Next, 2 × 94 + 39 = 227.
Complete both gaps in 15, 19, 23, 32, 41, ?, ? by choosing the ordered pair.
1. (57, 73)
2. (50, 66)
3. (57, 82)
4. (66, 91)
Show answer

Answer: (A) (57, 73)

Explanation: Each square gap occurs twice: 2², 2², 3², 3², 4², 4². Thus the next terms are 41 + 16 = 57 and 57 + 16 = 73.
Which entry belongs at position 8 in 3, 256, 9, 128, 27, 64, 81, ? when odd and even positions are treated separately?
1. 48
2. 16
3. 32
4. 243
Show answer

Answer: (C) 32

Explanation: Odd positions triple, while even positions halve: 256, 128, 64, 32. Position 8 therefore contains 32.
Continue 5, 6, 16, 57, 244, ? by extending both the multiplier and the added square.
1. 1230
2. 1240
3. 1245
4. 1225
Show answer

Answer: (C) 1245

Explanation: Apply ×1 + 1², ×2 + 2², ×3 + 3², ×4 + 4². Next is 244 × 5 + 5² = 1245.
The list 35, 77, 143, 221, 323, ? uses products of neighbouring primes. Choose the next product.
1. 493
2. 391
3. 419
4. 437
Show answer

Answer: (D) 437

Explanation: The products are 5×7, 7×11, 11×13, 13×17, 17×19. Next is 19 × 23 = 437.
A calculation chain is 15120, 2520, 504, 126, 42, ? . Find its final quotient.
1. 7
2. 14
3. 21
4. 6
Show answer

Answer: (C) 21

Explanation: Divide successively by 6, 5, 4, 3, then 2. Therefore 42 ÷ 2 = 21.
Which term completes 85, 113, 145, 181, ? if each entry adds two consecutive squares?
1. 221
2. 202
3. 219
4. 225
Show answer

Answer: (A) 221

Explanation: The entries are 6² + 7², 7² + 8², 8² + 9², 9² + 10². Next is 10² + 11² = 221.
In the sequence 12, 15, 20, 29, 46, 79, ?, find the next term by examining differences twice.
1. 142
2. 144
3. 143
4. 145
Show answer

Answer: (B) 144

Explanation: First differences are 3, 5, 9, 17, 33; second differences are 2, 4, 8, 16. The next first difference is 33 + 32 = 65, giving 79 + 65 = 144.

Why it matters

Why Number Series MCQ – Part 2 is worth the hours

Where the marks actually come from.

Number Series MCQ – Part 2 is factual rather than analytical: you either recall it in seconds or you lose the mark to somebody who did. That makes it one of the cheapest sections to convert - a handful of short sittings usually settles the whole cluster.

Exam relevance

Exams where Number Series MCQ – Part 2 matters

Derived from the subject and lane this topic belongs to.

Punjab Police Constable

The highest-volume recruitment on this list. Build your base with Punjab GK and current affairs, then drill reasoning until speed is automatic.

Punjab Police ASI

Assistant Sub-Inspector papers separate candidates on English and Punjabi accuracy as much as on general awareness. Practise language daily.

Punjab Police Sub-Inspector (SI)

The most competitive paper here. Polity, history and quant reasoning decide the rank - so take full timed mocks before the exam.

Punjab Police Jail Warder

A tighter syllabus: general awareness, Punjabi and basic reasoning. Perfect for a daily quiz habit - short sessions, high consistency.

Punjab Police Driver

A driving post inside Punjab Police. Keep general awareness and reasoning moving with short daily sets here while you work on the driving side separately.

Punjab Police Wireless Operator

A technical post inside Punjab Police. Alongside your wireless study, general awareness and reasoning are the parts you can drill here every day as MCQs.

Punjab Police IT Cadre

A technology-focused cadre inside Punjab Police. Computer awareness and reasoning are the highest-yield blocks to practise here as short daily MCQ sets.

Patwari

Revenue work starts with Punjab geography, history and current affairs. Add quant for the sections that reward calculation speed.

Excise Inspector

General awareness and English carry this paper. Track Punjab policy news daily and revise it as MCQs, not as notes.

Clerk

Grammar, comprehension, typing and basic computer knowledge. Accuracy beats speed here - review every wrong answer.

Lab Attendant

A short, high-scoring paper: lab safety, general science and reasoning. Ten focused minutes a day is usually enough to cover it.

PSPCL jobs

Recruitment by the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited. Technical aptitude sits alongside general awareness and reasoning.

PSSSB

PSSSB recruitment. Whichever post you are writing, general awareness, Punjabi and reasoning are the shared subjects you can practise here as daily MCQs.

Punjab Police Head Constable

The communication and clerical tier of Punjab Police. Punjabi, English and general knowledge carry the paper, and computer awareness is worth real marks.

Staff Selection Commission

The central recruitment ladder most aspirants attempt alongside a state paper. Arithmetic, reasoning and English decide the score; general awareness decides the cutoff.

Railway Recruitment

A high-volume, high-speed paper. Arithmetic, reasoning and general awareness asked at a pace that punishes anyone still working out method during the attempt.

Banking Exams

Quantitative aptitude and reasoning at speed, with a separate English section and a general awareness paper that moves with the financial news cycle.

Expected questions

Expected questions from Number Series MCQ – Part 2

What an examiner usually reaches for in this cluster.

Expect one-line recall questions - definitions, stand-for expansions, identifiers and the ordering of things. Practise the wording as well as the concept: these papers test terminology, and the set above uses the same four-option shape they do.

Daily habit

Keep the Expected MCQs habit running

20 fresh mixed questions a day, plus the current-affairs sets examiners keep reusing.

Daily Quiz Expected MCQs

Previous year questions

Previous Year Questions

How this topic behaves in real papers.

Past papers reuse clusters like this almost verbatim across years and posts. Run the same set until every distractor is familiar - previous-year style questions stop being recall and start being free marks.

Where the previous-year sets live

The portal's previous-year practice runs through the General Knowledge lane and the daily mixed quiz.

Previous Year Questions Daily Quiz

Keep going

Take the Number Series MCQ – Part 2 quiz

25 questions, about 25 min, instant scoring and a full review at the end.

Start Number Series MCQ – Part 2 quiz Reasoning page Daily Quiz Mock Tests

Questions

Number Series MCQ – Part 2 - common questions

Answered against the set as it is published today.

All questions →

How long is the Number Series MCQ – Part 2 quiz?

Number Series MCQ – Part 2 runs 25 untimed questions - about 25 min at a steady pace. The set clears at 40% and you can retake it as often as you like.

What kind of questions does Number Series MCQ – Part 2 ask?

The set answers that: each question carries four options and a full explanation, so you learn the wording an examiner uses, not just the fact behind it.

Where else can I practise Reasoning?

Open the quiz page above, or start from the Reasoning subject page if you want to drill neighbouring lanes in the same sitting.

Do my scores save?

Scores, bookmarks and streaks need the optional Google sign-in. Opening the set and answering questions does not.