Direction In each series, look for the degree and direction of change between the numbers. In other words, do the numbers increase or decrease, and by how much-
1.

Look at this series: 2, 1, (1/2), (1/4), ... What number should come next?
A. (1/3)
 B. (1/8)
C. (2/8)
 D. (1/16)
Answer and Explanation
Answer: B

Explanation: This is


2.

Look at this series: 7, 10, 8, 11, 9, 12, ... What number should come next?
A. 7
 B. 10
C. 12
 D. 13
Answer and Explanation
Answer: B

Explanation: This is a simple alternating addition and subtraction series. In the first pattern, 3 is added; in the second, 2 is subtracted.




3.

Look at this series: 36, 34, 30, 28, 24, ... What number should come next?
A. 20
 B. 22
C. 23
 D. 26
Answer and Explanation
Answer: B

Explanation: This is an alternating number subtraction series. First, 2 is subtracted, then 4, then 2, and so on.




4.

Look at this series: 22, 21, 23, 22, 24, 23, ... What number should come next?
A. 22
 B. 24
C. 25
 D. 26
Answer and Explanation
Answer: C

Explanation: In this simple alternating subtraction and addition series; 1 is subtracted, then 2 is added, and so on.




5.

Look at this series: 53, 53, 40, 40, 27, 27, ... What number should come next?
A. 12
 B. 14
C. 27
 D. 53
Answer and Explanation
Answer: B

Explanation:

In this series, each number is repeated, then 13 is subtracted to arrive at the next number.