1
What is the next number in the series 7, 12, 17, 22, 27, …?
Correct answer: B. 32
Each term increases by 5, so the next is 27 + 5 = 32.
easy
Number Series and Simplification MCQs
Solved Mathematics MCQs on number and letter series, missing numbers and BODMAS simplification, with clear step-by-step reasoning.
22 MCQsUpdated 27 October 2026
Find the next or missing number in series built on differences, multiplication, squares, cubes and mixed patterns, and practise simplifying expressions using the correct order of operations (BODMAS).
For a series, first write the differences between terms; if they don't show a pattern, try ratios, squares or alternate terms. Practising regularly is the best way to recognise patterns quickly.
- 2
What is the next number in the series 95, 88, 81, 74, 67, …?
Correct answer: C. 60
Each term decreases by 7, so the next is 67 − 7 = 60.
easy - 3
What is the next number in the series 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, …?
Correct answer: A. 96
Each term is doubled, so the next is 48 × 2 = 96.
easy - 4
What is the next number in the series 1, 3, 9, 27, 81, …?
Correct answer: C. 243
Each term is multiplied by 3, so the next is 81 × 3 = 243.
easy - 5
What is the next number in the series 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, …?
Correct answer: B. 2
Each term is halved, so the next is 4 ÷ 2 = 2.
easy - 6
What is the next number in the series 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, …?
Correct answer: C. 36
These are squares: 1², 2², 3², 4², 5². The next is 6² = 36.
easy - 7
What is the next number in the series 1, 8, 27, 64, …?
Correct answer: A. 125
These are cubes: 1³, 2³, 3³, 4³. The next is 5³ = 125.
medium - 8
What is the next number in the series 2, 5, 10, 17, 26, …?
Correct answer: B. 37
Each term is n² + 1 (1+1, 4+1, 9+1, 16+1, 25+1), so the next is 36 + 1 = 37.
medium - 9
What is the next number in the series 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, …?
Correct answer: D. 17
These are prime numbers. The next prime after 13 is 17 (15 = 3 × 5 is not prime).
easy - 10
What is the next number in the series 1, 2, 4, 7, 11, 16, …?
Correct answer: C. 22
Differences are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, so the next difference is 6: 16 + 6 = 22.
medium - 11
What is the next number in the series 3, 4, 7, 11, 18, 29, …?
Correct answer: A. 47
Each term is the sum of the two before it: 18 + 29 = 47.
hard - 12
What is the next number in the series 2, 10, 4, 20, 8, 40, …?
Correct answer: B. 16
Two series alternate: 2, 4, 8, … (doubling) and 10, 20, 40, … (doubling). The next term belongs to the first: 8 × 2 = 16.
Read detailshard - 13
Find the missing number: 5, 11, 23, ?, 95
Correct answer: C. 47
Each term is doubled plus 1: 5×2+1 = 11, 11×2+1 = 23, 23×2+1 = 47, 47×2+1 = 95.
hard - 14
Find the missing number: 6, 12, 20, 30, ?, 56
Correct answer: A. 42
The terms are 2×3, 3×4, 4×5, 5×6, 6×7, 7×8, so the missing number is 6 × 7 = 42.
medium - 15
What comes next in the letter series A, D, G, J, M, …?
Correct answer: D. P
Each letter moves forward 3 places in the alphabet: M + 3 = P.
medium - 16
What comes next in the series B, D, F, H, …?
Correct answer: C. J
The series skips one letter each time (B, D, F, H), so the next is J.
easy - 17
Simplify: 18 + 6 × 3 − 4
Correct answer: A. 32
Multiply first (BODMAS): 6 × 3 = 18. Then 18 + 18 − 4 = 32.
easy - 18
Simplify: 48 ÷ 6 × 2 + 5
Correct answer: A. 21
Division and multiplication go left to right: 48 ÷ 6 = 8, 8 × 2 = 16, then 16 + 5 = 21.
medium - 19
Simplify: (12 − 4)² ÷ 4
Correct answer: D. 16
Brackets first: 12 − 4 = 8. Then 8² = 64, and 64 ÷ 4 = 16.
medium - 20
Simplify: 0.25 × 80 + 0.5 × 30
Correct answer: D. 35
0.25 × 80 = 20 and 0.5 × 30 = 15, so the total is 35.
easy