What will come next in the following series? 84 12 32 a) 6 b) 8 c) 5 d) 7
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Let’s analyze the number series:
84, 12, 32, ?
We will look at the differences and patterns between the numbers to determine what comes next.
Step 1: Analyze the pattern between the numbers
First to second term:
84 → 12
Let’s divide 84 by 7:
84 ÷ 7 = 12
Second to third term:
12 → 32
This appears to be an increase.
32 − 12 = 20
Now we have:
- First operation: 84 ÷ 7 = 12
- Second operation: 12 + 20 = 32
Let us now attempt to continue this pattern.
If the pattern alternates between division and addition, we might expect the next operation to be a division again.
Step 2: Apply similar logic to get the next term
Third to fourth term:
32 ÷ ? = ?
We need to divide 32 by something to get the correct option from the choices provided:
a) 6
b) 8
c) 5
d) 7
Let’s test each:
- 32 ÷ 6 = 5.33
- 32 ÷ 8 = 4
- 32 ÷ 5 = 6.4
- 32 ÷ 7 = approximately 4.57
None of these give a whole number.
Let’s consider another pattern: perhaps the operations alternate with a regular change:
- Step 1: 84 ÷ 7 = 12
- Step 2: 12 + 20 = 32
- Step 3: Could the rule be alternating division and addition by a consistent number?
Let’s look at the operations again:
- First: divide by 7
- Second: add 20
If this is the pattern, we may now subtract a constant.
But subtraction after addition is not supported by the current series.
Now let’s test this:
What if it’s alternating division by 7 and addition by 20?
- 84 ÷ 7 = 12
- 12 + 20 = 32
- 32 ÷ 4 = 8
So perhaps the division factor decreases by 3 each time:
- First division: ÷7
- Second addition: +20
- Third division: ÷4
- Fourth: should be +20 again
So the next number is:
32 ÷ 4 = 8
Final Answer: (b) 8 ✅
This follows the pattern:
- ÷7, +20, ÷4, then likely +20 again.
