Question

Find the missing number in the series:

2, 5, 10, 17, ?, 37

Options:
A) 23 B) 34 C) 26 D) 28

Answer:

Step 1: Find the difference between numbers

Check how much each number increases.

• 5 − 2 = 3

• 10 − 5 = 5

• 17 − 10 = 7

So the pattern of differences is:

3, 5, 7

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Step 2: Identify the rule

The differences increase by +2 each time.

3, 5, 7, 9, 11

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Step 3: Find the missing number

Add the next difference to 17.

17 + 9 = 26

So the missing number should be 26.