Identify these questions

Extending on our examination of ‘harder’ numerical reasoning questions, we now look at patterns that jump.

These are questions where there are multiple patterns in one series but each pattern may only apply to each second figure or other regular interval.

You can identify these questions where there is:

• no easily detectable regular repeating pattern from number to number, and
• usually, alternating numbers.

This series has multiple patterns and jumps in the pattern. Can you see it?

5, 0, 7, -1, 9, -2, 11, -3

Now that you know about questions with patterns that jump over numbers in a series and those with multiple patterns, let’s see how to find the underlying pattern and solve them.

The strategy to answer these questions

To answer these questions, you will be required to:

1. Identify the relationship (this relationship or pattern will hold true for all the numbers) between the numbers, and,
2. Use that relationship to find the missing number or the grouped number set.

Here are rules to uncovering the pattern when there are ‘jumps’ in patterns over numbers and multiple patterns:

• Look for inconsistency and alternation – a regular pattern won’t work.
• Group like movements together.
• Look at jumps – is there a regular pattern when you jump over another number?
• How many types of jumps and patterns associated with the jumps can you find? Usually in a numerical reasoning question, there are two (because space and character constraints make it harder to include more than that).

Example Question/s

Watch video for explanation of the following question/s:

What is the next number in this series?

100, 88, 95, 86, 80, 84, 85, ?

A 80 B 81 C 82 D 83

What is the next number in this series?

0, 0, -5, 1, -10, 2, ?

A -15 B -5 C 0 D 3

Key Rules to remember

• Look for inconsistency and alternation (not always the case, but commonly seen).
• Group like movements together (up / down) to determine if more than 1 pattern is happening.
• Look at jumps and – is there a regular pattern when the pattern jumps over another number and only applies to every second number or nth number?

Practice time!

Now, it's your turn to practice.

Click on the button below and start your practice questions. We recommend doing untimed mode first, and then, when you're ready, do timed mode.

Every question has two solutions videos after you complete the question. The first is a quick 60 second video that shows you how our expert answers the question quickly. The second video is a more in-depth 5-steps or less explainer video that shows you the steps to take to answer the question. It's really important that you review the second video because that's where you'll learn additional tips and tricks.

Once you're done with the practice questions, move on to the next checkpoint.

Now, let’s get started on your practice questions.

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