Number Series Questions with Answers

A number series is a sequence of numbers governed by a specific pattern such as AP, GP etc. In banking and insurance exams, such as IBPS PO, SBI PO, SBI Clerk, IBPS Clerk, RRB Assistant, RRB Scale 1, LIC Assistant, LIC AAO, etc. you'll encounter these series, and your task is to identify missing or incorrect numbers within them. These number series questions with solution are intricately crafted to challenge your pattern recognition skills.  

Smartkeeda offers an extensive array of number series practice sets​​​​​​​ to assist you in improving your ability to recognize these patterns effortlessly. By practicing these sets, you'll develop the skills needed to swiftly identify patterns, ultimately saving time and optimizing your score in banking and insurance exams.

Identifying Patterns of Number Series Questions

The first step in solving a number series question is to identify the pattern in the given sequence. Patterns refers to sequence that generally repeats itself. Once you've successfully identified the pattern, you can use it to continue the series or deduce missing numbers accurately.

For example:  50, 45, 40, 35, 30, ? 

Here we can easily identify that every time “5” is getting reduced from each number so the pattern is subtraction. Next, you have to apply the identified pattern or rule to the known numbers in the series to predict the next number.

Arithmetic Series

An arithmetic series is a sequence of numbers in which each term is obtained by adding a constant difference to the previous term.
For example, consider the arithmetic series: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ... here the common difference is 3

Geometric Series

A geometric series is a sequence of numbers in which each term is obtained by multiplying the previous term by a fixed constant ratio
For example, consider the geometric series: 2, 6, 18, 54, 162, ... here the common ratio is 3 as this digit is being multiplied to every obtained number.

Mixed number series hold significant importance, as they are frequently featured in banking and insurance exams. These series can contain a blend of mathematical operations, arithmetic progressions, or geometric progressions. To decode these intricate sequences, a useful approach is to employ the difference or double difference method, which aids in recognizing the underlying pattern effectively.

Here are four simple ways to solve number series questions:
 

• Observe Differences: Start by examining the differences between consecutive terms; if they follow a pattern (increasing or decreasing), it is an arithmetic series.
• Constant Division: If differences aren't obvious, divide the 2nd term by the 1st, then the 2nd by the 3rd, etc. If the result is consistent, it's likely a product series.
• Factorization: Express each term as a product of two factors and look for a pattern between these factors.
• Square/Cube Series: If differences change rapidly, explore the possibility of a square or cube series in which the differences between terms are related to squares or cubes.

For Example:
25, 47, 91, 179, ?.

By analyzing the sequence, we notice that the difference between successive terms is being doubled every time.

25 – 14 = 11
47 – 25 = 22
91 – 47 = 44
179 – 91 = 88

So, if 88 is doubled, we get 176.
Hence, 179 + 176 = 355

Therefore, the missing term is 355.
 

Tips for Efficient Solving Number Series Questions

Here are some tips for solving number series questions effectively:

1. For gradually increasing or decreasing series, promptly calculate the difference between consecutive terms to spot a pattern.
2. In some cases, applying a double difference (difference of differences) can help reveal the underlying pattern more efficiently.
3. If the series is changing rapidly (either increasing or decreasing), consider whether it might be a product or division series, and proceed accordingly to solve it more swiftly.
4. Regular practice with different types of number series can improve your pattern recognition skills and speed in solving these questions during exams.

To further enhance your readiness for number series topic for exams such as IBPS PO Pre, SBI PO Pre, LIC Assistant, SBI Clerk, IBPS Clerk, LIC AAO, EPFO SSA, NIACL, and various other Banking and Insurance Exams, we encourage you to visit our website. At Smartkeeda, you can access valuable free number series questions and practice diligently to excel in your upcoming exams.