What number should come next?36, 34, 30, 28, 24, ...

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Questions on number series are prevalent in most of the management aptitude exams. These questions are based on numerical sequences that follow a logical rule/ pattern based on elementary arithmetic concepts. A particular series is given from which the pattern must be analyzed. You are then asked to predict the next number in the sequence following the same rule. Generally, there are three types of questions asked from the number series:

A numerical series is given in which a number is wrongly placed. You are asked to identify that particular wrong number.

A numerical series is given in which a specific number is missing. You are required to find out that missing number.

A complete numerical series is followed by an incomplete numerical series. You need to solve that incomplete numerical series in the same pattern in which the complete numerical series is given.

Different types of Number Series:

The most common patterns followed by number series are:

Series consisting of Perfect Squares:

A series based on Perfect squares is most of the time based on the perfect squares of the numbers in a specific order & generally one of the numbers is missing in this type of series.

Example:324, 361, 400, 441,?

Sol: 324 = 182 , 361 = 192, 400 = 202, 441 = 212, 484 = 222

Perfect Cube Series:

It is based on the cubes of numbers in a particular order and one of the number is missing in the series.

Example:512, 729, 1000,?

Sol:83, 93, 103, 113

Geometric Series:

It is based on either descending or ascending order of numbers and each successive number is obtained by dividing or multiplying the previous number by a specific number.

Example:4, 36, 324, 2916?

Sol:4 x 9 = 36, 36 x 9 = 324, 324 x 9 = 2916, 2916 x 9 = 26244.

Arithmetic Series:

It consists of a series in which the next term is obtained by adding/subtracting a constant number to its previous term. Example: 4, 9, 14, 19, 24, 29, 34 in which the number to be added to get the new number is 5.

Two-stage Type Series:

In a two-step Arithmetic series, the differences of consecutive numbers themselves form an arithmetic series.

Example: 1, 3, 6, 10, 15.....

Sol:3 - 1 = 2, 6 - 3 = 3, 10 - 6 = 4, 15 - 10 = 5....

Now, we get an arithmetic sequence 2, 3, 4, 5......

Hence 6 will be added to the last number given, so answer would 15 + 6 = 21

Mixed Series:

This particular type of series may have more than one pattern arranged in a single series or it may have been created according to any of the unorthodox rules.

Example:10, 22, 46, 94, 190,?

Sol:

10 x 2 = 20 +2 = 22,

22 x 2 = 44 + 2 = 46,

46 x 2 = 92 + 2 = 94,

94 x 2 = 188 + 2 = 190,

190 x 2 = 380 + 2 = 382.

So the missing number is 382.

Aptitude tests help reveal the natural talents, strengths, and limitations that we all have.

The process of assessing people is very complex and involves many different factors. Organizations are increasingly using aptitude testing to improve their recruitment and development processes.

When you test people's aptitudes, you look beyond what they've done in the past – and you assess what they have the potential to achieve in the future.

You must first understand what you want to accomplish with your testing process, then find the appropriate test. By researching and carefully choosing your tests, and combining them with other assessment methods, you can improve your hiring and promoting process. That will increase the chances of matching the right people with the right jobs.