Fill the missing number (?) in the given figure.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → 26
To find the missing number in the circle, we need to identify the mathematical pattern connecting the numbers: 5, 10, 50, and 122.
The Pattern
The numbers follow a pattern based on the squares of prime numbers incremented by 1 ($n^2 + 1$).
- 1st Number: $2^2 + 1 = 4 + 1 = \mathbf{5}$
- 2nd Number: $3^2 + 1 = 9 + 1 = \mathbf{10}$
- 3rd Number (Missing): The next prime number after 3 is 5.
$5^2 + 1 = 25 + 1 = \mathbf{26}$
- 4th Number: The next prime number after 5 is 7.
$7^2 + 1 = 49 + 1 = \mathbf{50}$
- 5th Number: The next prime number after 7 is 11.
$11^2 + 1 = 121 + 1 = \mathbf{122}$
Conclusion
By following the sequence of prime squares plus one, the missing number is 26.