What will be the next number of the series.
3, 6, 10.5, 17, 26, ?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → 38
When the gaps between the terms are not constant, the gaps between the gaps are checked. Here they grow by 0.5 each time.
Gaps between the terms: \(6-3=3\), \(10.5-6=4.5\), \(17-10.5=6.5\), \(26-17=9\)
Gaps between these: 1.5, 2, 2.5, so the next is 3
Next gap \(=9+3=12\)
Next term \(=26+12=38\)