Cracking the code: Unraveling the sequence in a viral math puzzle
An apparently simple math puzzle is causing considerable problems. "What will be next?" - see if you can answer this question by looking at numbers arranged in a single row with four possible answers. Only one is correct.
Math puzzles and riddles are excellent exercises for logical thinking. Sometimes, however, they can evoke significant emotions and even frustration, especially when a seemingly simple puzzle proves difficult to solve.
Solve the math puzzle
"What will be next?" - this is the key question of the math puzzle published on the website logiclike.com. It is based on the following numbers:
25, 20, 16, 13, 11...
What will be the next number? What does the order of the numbers depend on?
The proposed answers are:
- 10,
- 7,
- 9,
- 8.
Which answer is correct?
Solving this math puzzle is not simple at all. The first thing to focus on is determining what dictates the order of these numbers and why they are in this sequence. Once we figure that out, it becomes clear that:
- If we subtract the second number from the first, i.e., 25 and 20, we get 5.
- If we subtract the third number from the second, i.e., 20 and 16, we get 4.
- When we subtract the fourth number from the third, i.e., 16 and 13, we get 3.
- When we subtract the fifth number from the fourth, i.e., 13 and 11, we get 2.
- Following this pattern, the result of the last operation is 1. Therefore, the correct answer is 10, because 11 minus 10 gives us 1.
The complete sequence looks as follows:
25 (-5) 20 (-4) 16 (-3) 13 (-2) 11 (-1) 10
Did you guess the correct number? If so, congratulations! If not, don't worry, keep your spirits up. Practice makes perfect. Try solving other puzzles.
