24, 60, 120, 206, 336
Which among the given series does not follow a specific pattern?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → 206
The terms are close to the cubes 27, 64, 125, 216, 343, and each falls short of its cube by the number itself, so every term is of the form \(n^3-n\):
\(3^3-3=27-3=24\)
\(4^3-4=64-4=60\)
\(5^3-5=125-5=120\)
\(6^3-6=216-6=210\), but the series prints 206
\(7^3-7=343-7=336\)
So the term that breaks the pattern is 206; it should be 210.
Tip: When the differences (36, 60, 86, 130) do not settle into a pattern, compare each term with the nearest square or cube; \(n^3-n\) and \(n^2+n\) are common forms.