Identify these questions

Number pattern series take various forms. One of those forms is being grouped in images, most often in:

• Tables
• Circles
• Boxes

However, whatever the variation, you must remember that underlying this is a requirement that you find the number pattern.

These types of questions look like this:

21 is to:

3,	5,	4,
2,	6,	1,

as 42 is to:

6,	10,	8,
4,	8,	?,

Find the missing the number.

A: 1 B : 2 C: 6 D: 8 E: None of these

When you see a question like this, you are still dealing with a number series but you have various points of groups to ‘check’ your pattern against. This is important because patterns are generally not as straightforward as you expect. You should use a second (or third) reference point.

You can identify these types of questions by the presence of a series of numbers and groups.

The strategy to answer these questions

To answer these questions, follow the steps below:

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 number patterns grouped in images:

You'll need to identify (if required) the pattern:

• Within the group and/or
• Across the groupings

Then apply that pattern across the groupings to find the answer.

Other things you should consider when trying to identify a pattern or relationship is shown in the table below.

Try the pattern that seems most obvious to you

Following the guidelines, it is simple and a good idea to start with basic addition or subtraction between the two numbers next to each other (consecutive numbers).

For example: 5 9 14 20 27 ?

9 – 5 = 4, 14 – 9 = 5, 20 – 14 = 6

Can you see a pattern forming?

The difference between each consecutive pair increases by 1. The difference between 20 and 27 is 7. Therefore, the difference between 27 and the missing number is 8 (27 + 8 = 35). Therefore the missing number is 35.

Do not take the numbers for granted

This is an important consideration in the exam when you cannot identify a quick and logical relationship. In such an instance what this means is that some numbers are not what they appear to be.

For example in the following sequence: 2313 3132 1323 3231 ?

If you try taking the difference between the numbers, this would be incorrect - not to mention wasting valuable time. The reason is because 2313 is not two thousand three hundred and thirteen.

It is simply a group of numbers put together. There is no meaning to the group itself.

What you will notice from the above sequence is the numbers moves on a rotating basis. With 2313, the 2 will move to the back of the group, which gives the second number 3132 and so forth.

Another common pitfall could be naturally assuming that a number such as 111 is one hundred and eleven when could just be three separate ones or a one and an eleven grouped together.

Some patterns also don't tend to follow the next number. For example the patterns can jump numbers, such as below:

1 3 2 3 3 3 4 3

1 2 3 4 is every second number and the three is a constant. That means that three is a number which always occurs at every second spot.

Example Question/s

Watch video for explanation of the following question/s:

6,	6,	6
1,	3,	2,

is to 12 as

5,	8,	2,
2,	3,	1,

is to?

A: 4 B : 9 C: 24 D: 36

21 is to:

3,	5,	4,
2,	6,	1,

as 42 is to:

6,	10,	8,
4,	8,	?,

Find the missing the number.

A: 1 B : 2 C: 6 D: 8 E: None of these

Key Rules to remember

• Pattern existence may be confined within the group.
• Once detected and the pattern holds, then apply it.
• Remember the rules that hold number patterns together (up, down, combinations, harder patterns – gaps, stand-ins, jumps) as that applies here.

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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