GCAT - General Cognitive Ability Numerical Series Patterns Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which number logically follows in this sequence?

4, 5, 9, 18, 34, ?

Accepted Answer

59

Answer

The pattern involves adding consecutive perfect squares to the previous number. First, 1^2 (1) is added to 4 to get 5. Then, 2^2 (4) is added to 5 to get 9. Then, 3^2 (9) is added to 9 to get 18. Then, 4^2 (16) is added to 18 to get 34. Finally, 5^2 (25) must be added to 34, which results in 59.

Question 2

A data analyst is tracking weekly user engagement. The numbers for the past six weeks are: 88, 82, 92, 76, 102, 64. What is the next number in this series?

Accepted Answer

118

Answer

This is an alternating series with two separate patterns. The first pattern (88, 92, 102) increases by 4, then by 10. This is not a simple arithmetic progression. The second pattern (82, 76, 64) consistently decreases by 6, then by 12. Let's re-examine. The series alternates between subtraction and addition with an increasing value. 88 - 6 = 82; 82 + 10 = 92; 92 - 16 = 76; 76 + 26 = 102; 102 - 38 = 64. This is too complex. Let's try another approach: There are two interleaved series. The first is 88, 92, 102, ?. The differences are +4, +10. The second series is 82, 76, 64. The difference is -6, -12. Let's try a different main pattern: 88 (-6) -> 82; 82 (+10) -> 92; 92 (-16) -> 76; 76 (+26) -> 102; 102 (-38) -> 64. The differences are -6, +10, -16, +26, -38. The differences between these operations are +16, -26, +42, -64. This is also too complex. Let's reconsider two interleaved series: Series 1: 88, 92, 102, X. Series 2: 82, 76, 64. The pattern for Series 2 is -6, -12. The pattern for Series 1 is +4, +10. The difference of differences is +6. So the next difference should be 10+6=16. The next number in Series 1 is 102 + 16 = 118.

Question 3

Find the missing number in the following series: 3, 9, 4, 12, 5, 15, 6, ?

Accepted Answer

18

Answer

The pattern alternates between two operations: multiplying by 3 and then subtracting 5. However, a simpler pattern exists. The sequence is formed by pairs of numbers. The second number in each pair is three times the first. 3 * 3 = 9; 4 * 3 = 12; 5 * 3 = 15. The next pair should be 6 and (6 * 3), which is 18.

Question 4

Which of the following numbers would correctly complete the series: 120, 99, 80, 63, 48, ?

Accepted Answer

35

Answer

The series is decreasing by consecutive odd numbers, starting with 21. 120 - 21 = 99; 99 - 19 = 80; 80 - 17 = 63; 63 - 15 = 48. The next odd number to subtract is 13. So, 48 - 13 = 35.

Question 5

A system's performance metric is recorded as follows: 2, 8, 26, 80, ?. What is the next value in this pattern?

Accepted Answer

242

Answer

The pattern is to multiply the previous number by 3 and add 2. (2 * 3) + 2 = 8; (8 * 3) + 2 = 26; (26 * 3) + 2 = 80. The next number is (80 * 3) + 2 = 242.

GCAT - General Cognitive Ability Test Practice Test

GCAT - General Cognitive Ability Test Practice Test

GCAT - General Cognitive Ability Numerical Series Patterns Questions and Answers