REASONING

Number Series

Detailed Covered Quick

Theory Notes Each Topic Revision

HELPFUL FOR ALL COMPETITIVE EXAMS

Number Series is a series in which the relationship between numbers is based on a particular pattern
or rule. Understanding number series involves identifying the pattern or rule that governs the
progression of the numbers. This concept is fundamental in mathematics and is often used in various
fields, including computer science, finance, and data analysis.

Steps to Identify Patterns in Number Series:

• Observe the Series: Look at the given numbers and try to find a visible pattern.
• Determine the Type of Series: Identify whether the series is arithmetic, geometric, Fibonacci,
etc.
• Calculate Differences or Ratios: For arithmetic series, find the common difference. For
geometric series, find the common ratio.

Types of Number Series

• Arithmetic Series: A series where the difference between consecutive terms is constant.
Example: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 (Here, the constant value is 3)
• Square Series: Each term is a perfect square.
Example: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25
• Cube Series: Each term is a perfect cube.
Example: 1, 8, 27, 64, 125
• Geometric Series: Each term is obtained by multiplying the previous term by a constant value.
Example: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 (Here, the constant value is 2)
• Fibonacci Series: Each term is the sum of the two preceding terms.
Example: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13
• Prime Number Series: A prime number series consists of prime numbers, which are numbers
greater than 1 that have no positive divisors other than 1 and themselves. In other words, a prime
number is a number that can only be divided by 1 and the number itself without leaving a
remainder.
Example: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23…etc.
• Mixed Series: A combination of different patterns.
Example: 2, 4, 6, 12, 14, 28, ... (alternating between × 2 and +2)

Complete the Number Series: The completing number series involves identifying the underlying
pattern or rule that governs the sequence. This pattern could be arithmetic, geometric, a combination
of mathematical operations, or based on some other logical rule.

Steps to Complete a Number Series

• Identify the Type of Series: Determine if the series is arithmetic, geometric, Fibonacci, etc.
[Page-1]
• Calculate Differences or Ratios: For arithmetic series, find the common difference. For
geometric series, find the common ratio.
• Look for Patterns: Check if the series follows a pattern like alternating increases, primes, squares,
etc.
• Use Known Formulas: Apply relevant mathematical formulas if applicable.
• Predict the Next Term: Based on the identified pattern or rule, determine the next term in the
series.

Example-1: Select the number from among the given options that can replace the question mark (?) in
the following series.
80, 73, 64, 53, 40,?

Solution:- We have been given numbers arranged in a series using some logic. We have to identify the
logic and then have to find the number that will replace the question mark in the given series.
Logic : Subtraction of odd numbers starting from 7.
• The pattern followed here is:

Hence, "25" is the correct answer.

Example-2: In the following question, select the missing number from the given series.
37, 39, 42, 47, 54,?

Solution:- Here, in this question we have to find the correct logic and find the correct number of series.
Logic: Adding consecutive prime numbers in each previous number to get the next number of the series.

Hence, “65” is the correct answer.

Example-3: In the following question, select the missing number from the given series.
21, 25, 52, 68, 193, ?
Solution:- Here, in this question we have to find the correct logic and find the correct number of series.
Logic: The pattern in the differences appears to alternate between squares and cubes of increasing
integers:

Hence, “229” is the correct answer.

[Page-2]
Missing Number Series: The "Missing Number Series" involves identifying a sequence of numbers
where one or more numbers are missing, and then determining these missing values based on the
patterns or rules governing the series.

Steps to Missing Number Series:

• Identify the Series Type: Determine if the series is arithmetic, geometric, or follows another
specific pattern.
• Calculate Differences or Ratios: For arithmetic series, find the common difference. For
geometric series, find the common ratio.
• Analyze the Pattern: Look for patterns such as alternating sequences, increasing or decreasing
sequences, or a mix of operations.
• Use Mathematical Formulas: Apply relevant formulas for series such as arithmetic or geometric
series.
• Test Hypotheses: If the pattern is not immediately clear, test different possible rules or patterns
to find which fits the series.

Example-1: Find the missing number in the series given below.

2, 6, 30, 210, ? , 30030
Solution:- Here the logic is as follows,
Multiplying with prime numbers in the ascending order.

Hence, 2310 is the correct answer.

Example-2: Which of the following numbers will replace the question mark (?) in the given series?
11, 21, 16, 26, ?, 31
Solution:- Here the logic is as follows,
We can observe that the differences alternate between +10 and -5.

Hence, 21 is the correct answer.

Example-2: What should come in place of the question mark (?) in the given series?
36, 108, 54,?, 81, 243
Solution:- Here the logic is as follows,
It appears that the pattern alternates between multiplying by 3 and dividing by 2.

Hence, 162 is the correct answer.

[Page-3]
Wrong Number Series: A "wrong number series" is a sequence of numbers where all but one term
follow a specific pattern or rule. The task is to identify which number does not conform to the
established pattern or rule, making it the "wrong" number in the series.

Steps to Identify the Wrong Number:

1. Observe the Series: Look at the given series and note each term.

2. Identify Possible Patterns: Consider common patterns such as:

• Arithmetic progression (constant addition or subtraction)
• Geometric progression (constant multiplication or division)
• Alternating patterns
• Differences between terms
• Squaring, cubing, or other mathematical operations

3. Identify the Anomaly: Determine which number breaks the identified pattern. This number is
the wrong number in the series.

Example-1: Find out the wrong number in this given series.

12, 36, 144, 432, 1730, 5184
Solution:- The pattern in the given series is as follows:

Required term should be = 432 × 4 = 1728

1730 should be replaced by 1728.
Hence, 1730 is the correct answer.

Example-2: Identify the number that does NOT belong to the following series.
81, 54, 36, 27, 22

Solution:- The pattern followed in the given series is as follows:

Here, the difference between two numbers is a multiple of 9 except the difference between 27 and 22.
So, 22 does not belong to the series.
Hence, 22 is the correct answer.
[Page-4]
Matrix form Missing Number Series: A matrix form missing number series is a type of number
sequence presented in a grid or matrix format where one or more numbers are missing, and the goal is
to identify these missing numbers based on the patterns or rules that govern the matrix.

Steps of Matrix Form Missing Number Series:

1. Matrix Layout: The series is presented in a matrix format, where numbers are arranged in rows
and columns.

2. Identify Patterns: Look for patterns in rows, columns, or diagonals. Common patterns include:
• Arithmetic Sequences: Each row, column, or diagonal follows a constant difference.
• Addition/Subtraction Patterns: Numbers might be obtained by adding or subtracting a
constant value from one cell to the next.
• Multiplication/Division Patterns: Numbers might be derived by multiplying or dividing
by a constant value.

3. Analyze Each Row, Column, and Diagonal:

• Rows: Check if the numbers in each row follow a pattern.
• Columns: Check if the numbers in each column follow a pattern.
• Diagonals: Sometimes the pattern can be found along diagonals.
4. Apply the Pattern: Once the pattern is identified, apply it to determine the missing number.

Example-1: In the following question, select the number which can be placed at the sign of question
mark (?) from the given alternatives.

Solution:- Here, in this question we have to find the missing number in the given matrix.
Logic: (1st number + 2nd number + 3rd number) = 4th number
In the first column :
2 + 5 + 7 = 14
and,
In the second column :
8 + 4 + 5 = 17
Similarly,
In the third column :
6 + 9 + 4 = 19
Hence, '19' is the correct answer.

[Page-5]
Example-2: Study the given pattern carefully and select the number that can replace the question mark
(?) in it.
5 7 100
8 9 181
11 10 ?

Solution:- In this question we have to find out which number given in the option will replace the
question mark.
Logic:- (First number + 1)2 + (Second number + 1)2 = Third number
• Row I :- 5, 7, 100
(5 + 1)2 + (7 + 1)2 = 100
• Row II :- 8, 9, 181
(8 + 1)2 + (9 + 1)2 = 181
Similarly,
• Row III :- 11, 10, ?
(11 + 1)2 + (10 +1)2 = ?
122 + 112 = ?
144 + 121 = ?
265 = ?
Hence, "265" is the correct answer.

Figure Shape Based Missing Number Series: A figure-shaped based number series is a type of
numerical sequence where the numbers are associated with geometric shapes or figures. In these series,
the sequence may involve patterns based on the properties, transformations, or arrangements of
shapes, rather than just numerical values. The goal is to identify the missing number by understanding
the underlying pattern related to the shapes or figures in the sequence.

Steps of Figure Shape Based Missing Number Series:

1. Observe the Shapes and Numbers: Square, Triangle, Circle, etc.

2. Identify Patterns:
• Shapes: Shapes might be following a sequence where each type of shape is associated with
a specific pattern of numbers.
• Numbers: Check for patterns such as addition, multiplication, or any arithmetic sequence.

3. Apply the Pattern: If the numbers associated with shapes follow an arithmetic pattern, identify
the relationship.
For example, if the sequence shows an addition of 3 per shape type or a geometric progression,
apply it to find the missing number.

[Page-6]
4. Determine the Missing Number: Suppose the pattern suggests that each shape’s number
increases by a fixed amount or follows a specific progression; apply this to the Shape.

Example-1: Find the missing number that can replace the question mark (?) in the given figure.

Solution:- Here, in the given question we have to find out the correct number that can replace the
question mark (?) in the figure.
The logic used is:- In a figure,Central number = (product of left number, bottom number, and right
number) - top number
• In 1st circle,
Middle number = (4 × 3 × 2) - 8
24 - 8 = 16
• In 3rd circle,
Middle number = (2 × 2 × 4) - 9
16 - 9 = 7
Similarly,
• In 2nd circle,
Middle number = (2 × 2 × 3) - 7
12 - 7 = 5
So, 5 is the correct number that will replace the question mark (?) in the figure.
Hence, 5 is the correct answer.

Example-2: In the following question, select the number which can be placed at the sign of question
mark (?) from the given alternatives.

Solution:- We have been given four numbers , each arranged at vertices of triangles and in its center
using some logic. We have to find the logic and then have to find the number that will replace the
question mark.
Logic : Sum of squares of two larger numbers at vertices + The third number on the remaining vertices.
= central number
• (22 + 32) + 1 = 4 + 9 + 1 = 14
• (32 + 42) + 1 = 9 + 16 + 1 = 26
• (52 + 22) + 1 = 25 + 4 + 1 = 30
So, 30 is the number that will replace the question mark.
Hence, “30” is the correct answer.
[Page-7]