Find the wrong number in the following series.
0, 3, 8, 16, 24, 35, 48, 63
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → 16
Each term should be one less than a square, the squares of 1, 2, 3, ... in order:
\(1^2-1=0\), \(2^2-1=3\), \(3^2-1=8\)
\(4^2-1=15\), but the series has 16
\(5^2-1=24\), \(6^2-1=35\), \(7^2-1=48\), \(8^2-1=63\)
All the other terms fit if the fourth term is 15. So 16 is the wrong number.