Which Number Replaces the Question Mark?

Understanding the Question

The question “which number replaces the question mark?” is a common puzzle seen in many newspapers, magazines, books, and online. It involves looking at a series of numbers and determining which number should replace the question mark. The answer can be determined by looking at the pattern of the numbers in the sequence and using basic math.

Solving the Puzzle

In order to solve the puzzle, you need to first look at the pattern in the numbers. For example, if the sequence is 1, 3, 5, 7, ?, the pattern is that each number is two more than the previous number. So, if the first number is 1, then the second number is 1 + 2 = 3, the third number is 3 + 2 = 5, and the fourth number is 5 + 2 = 7. Using this pattern, the fifth number should be 7 + 2 = 9.

If the sequence is a bit more complicated, like 1, 8, 27, 64, ?, the pattern is that each number is three times the previous number. So, if the first number is 1, then the second number is 1 x 3 = 8, the third number is 8 x 3 = 27, and the fourth number is 27 x 3 = 64. Using this pattern, the fifth number should be 64 x 3 = 192.

Applying the Pattern

Once you have identified the pattern, you can then apply it to any other sequence. For example, if the sequence is 3, 6, 12, 24, ?, the pattern is that each number is double the previous number. So, if the first number is 3, then the second number is 3 x 2 = 6, the third number is 6 x 2 = 12, and the fourth number is 12 x 2 = 24. Using this pattern, the fifth number should be 24 x 2 = 48.

Conclusion

Answering the question “which number replaces the question mark?” involves identifying the pattern in the sequence and then applying it to find the missing number. This can be done by looking at the numbers in the sequence and using basic math. Once the pattern is identified, it can be applied to any other sequence to find the missing number.