Number Series Questions for Bank Exams

Number Series Questions play a crucial role in the Quantitative Aptitude section of bank exams and are often considered scoring with the right approach. These questions test a candidate’s ability to identify patterns, logical sequences, and numerical relationships within a series. With regular practice, candidates can solve number series questions quickly and accurately, saving valuable time in the exam.

Number Series for Bank Exams

Number Series is one of the most scoring topics in bank exams, with questions designed to test your ability to detect numerical patterns and solve missing or wrong terms quickly. Common number series types include arithmetic, geometric, mixed operations, squares, cubes, and difference-based patterns. By practicing common sequences, improving mental calculations, and recognizing recurring trends, candidates can solve these questions in seconds and secure easy marks in both prelims and mains exams.

Types of Number Series Questions

• Arithmetic Series: In this series, a constant number is added or subtracted to each term to produce the next term. Example: 5, 10, 15, 20, ? (Pattern: Adding 5 each time)
• Geometric Series: Each term in the series is multiplied or divided by a constant number to get the next term. Example: 3, 6, 12, 24, ? (Pattern: Multiplying by 2 each time)
• Square/Cube Series: This involves numbers that are squares or cubes of consecutive integers. Example: 1, 8, 27, 64, ? (Pattern: Cubes of 1, 2, 3, 4)
• Fibonacci Series: Each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers. Example: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, ? (Pattern: Adding the last two terms)
• Mixed Series: These are complex series where a combination of different operations or alternating patterns is used. Example: 2, 4, 6, 11, 14, 20, ? (Pattern: Alternating addition and multiplication)
• Pattern-Based Series: Series based on a defined rule involving patterns such as alternate operations, skipping numbers, etc. Example: 3, 7, 15, 31, ? (Pattern: Doubling the previous term and subtracting 1)

Number Series Questions for Bank Exams

Directions (1–5): What will come in the place of question (?) mark in following number series:

Q1. 25920,  4320,  864,  216,  72,  ?

(a) 72

(b) 18

(c) 36

(d) 12

(e) 20

Q2. 131,  143,  157,  175,  201,  ?

(a) 243

(b) 221

(c) 287

(d) 265

(e) 299

Q3. 142,  142,  149,  ?,  238, 362

(a) 65

(b) 100

(c) 125

(d) 175

(e) 80

Q4. 100, 150, 250, 450, ? , 1650

(a) 820

(b) 850

(c) 270

(d) 675

(e) 5215

Q5. 8206,  ?,  8226,  8262,  8326,  8426

(a) 8210

(b) 8216

(c) 8224

(d) 8246

(e) 8198

Directions (6-11): What will come in the place of question (?) mark in the following number series.

Q6. 42,  59,  79,  94,  116,  ?

(a) 109

(b) 98

(c) 132

(d) 58

(e) 129

Q7. ?,  21,  28,  45,  77,  129

(a) 21

(b) 19

(c) 23

(d) 29

(e) 14

Q8. 428,  ?,  480,  548,  652,  798

(a) 398

(b) 404

(c) 442

(d) 567

(e) 519

Q9. 104,  119,  148,  205,  ?,  459

(a) 326

(b) 314

(c) 309

(d) 304

(e) 376

Q10. ?,  231,  274,  321,  374,  433

(a) 120

(b) 110

(c) 190

(d) 140

(e) 150

Q11. 2500,  250,  50,  20,  16,  ?

(a) 21.4

(b) 25.6

(c) 29.5

(d) 23.8

(e) None of these

Directions (12-16): Each series give below there is one wrong term. Find out the wrong term from each series given below.

Q12. 8,      10,       19,       58,       233,       1166,        6997

(a) 6997

(b) 233

(c) 58

(d) 10

(e) 8

Q13. 48,       409,      698,      867,       988,        1069,      1062

(a) 698

(b) 48

(c) 409

(d) 1069

(e) 867

Q14. 10,      52,     94,      140,      192,     252,      322

(a) 52

(b) 10

(c) 140

(d) 252

(e) 322

Q15. 1740,       1524,       1399,       1335,       1302,        1300,       1299

(a) 1302

(b) 1740

(c) 1299

(d) 1399

(e) 1524

Q16. 500,      1200,      2700,     6072,        12751.2,        25502.4,      48454.56

(a) 48454.56

(b) 1200

(c) 2700

(d) 12751.2

(e) 25502.4

Directions (17-21): In the following number series only one number is wrong. Find out the wrong number.

Q17. 9050,  5675,  3478,  2147,   1418,  1077

(a) 3478

(b) 1418

(c) 5675

(d) 2147

(e) 1077

Q18. 8424,   4212,    2106,    1051,   526.5,   263.25,  131.625

(a) 131.625

(b) 1051

(c) 4212

(d) 8424

(e) 263.25

Q19. 71,   90,   128,   185,   261,   365

(a) 365

(b) 128

(c) 185

(d) 90

(e) 261

Q20. 8,   14,    45,    92,    267,    532

(a) 14

(b) 45

(c) 92

(d) 532

(e) 267

Q21. 18,   36,    144,    864,    6912,    691020

(a) 691020

(b) 144

(c) 864

(d) 6912

(e) 36

Directions (22-25): Find the wrong number in following number series.

Q22. 2,   3,   10,   36,   152,   770,     4632

(a) 3

(b) 2

(c) 10

(d) 152

(e) 770

Q23. 4418,    4421,  4417,   4422,     4415,    4426,    4413

(a) 4418

(b) 4422

(c) 4421

(d) 4415

(e) 4426

Q24. 2,   3,   8,   27,    112,    560,      3396

(a) 3396

(b) 3

(c) 560

(d) 27

(e) 112

Q25. 108,   172,    221,     257,      282,     294,      307

(a) 108

(b) 172

(c) 221

(d) 294

(e) 307

Answers

S1. Ans.(c)

Sol. Pattern of series-

25920÷6=4320

4320÷5=864

864÷4=216

216÷3=72

72÷2=36

S2. Ans.(a)

S3. Ans.(d)

S4. Ans.(b)

Sol. Pattern of series-

100×2 -50=150

150×2-50=250

250×2-50=450

450×2-50=850

850×2-50=1650

S5. Ans.(a)

S6. Ans.(e)

S7. Ans.(b)

S8. Ans.(c)

S9. Ans.(d)

S10. Ans.(c)

S11. Ans.(b)

S12. Ans.(d)

Sol. Wrong number = 10

Pattern of series-

8 ×1+1 = 9

9 ×2+1 =19

19 ×3+1 = 58

58 ×4+1 = 233

233 ×5+1 = 1166

1166 ×6+1 = 6997

S13. Ans.(d)

Sol. Wrong number = 1069

Pattern of series-

(addition of square of consecutive prime number in descending order)

48 + 361 = 409

409 + 289 = 698

698 + 169 = 867

867 + 121 = 988

988 + 49 = 1037

1037 + 25 = 1062

S14. Ans.(b)

Sol. Wrong number = 12

S15. Ans.(a)

Sol. Wrong number = 1302

Pattern of series-

1740-6³ = 1524

1524-5³ = 1399

1399-4³ = 1335

1335-3³ = 1308

1308-2³ = 1300

1300-1³ = 1299

S16.  And(c)

Sol. Wrong number = 2700

Pattern of series-

500 ×2.4=1200

1200 × 2.3 = 2760

2760 × 2.2 = 6072

6072 × 2.1 = 12751.2

12751.2 × 2.0 = 25502.4

25502.4 × 1.9 = 48454.56

S17. Ans.(e)

Sol. The pattern of number series –

9050 –  = 9050-3375 = 5675

5675 – = 5675-2197 = 3478

3478 – = 3478-1331 = 2147

2147 – = 2147-729 = 1418

1418 – = 1418-343 = 1075 ≠ 1077

S18. Ans.(b)

Sol. The pattern of number series –

8424 ÷ 2 = 4212

4212 ÷ 2 = 2106

2106 ÷ 2 = 1053 ≠ 1051

1053 ÷ 2 = 526.5

526.5 ÷ 2 = 263.25

263.25 ÷ 2 = 131.625

S19. Ans.(a)

Sol. The pattern of number series –

71 +19 = 90

90 + 38 = 128

128 + 57 = 185

185 + 76 = 261

261 + 95 = 356

S20. Ans.(c)

Sol. The pattern of number series –

8 × 2-2 = 14

14 × 3 + 3 = 45

45 × 2-2 = 88

88 × 3 + 3 = 267

267 × 2-2 = 532

S21. Ans.(a)

Sol. The pattern of number series –

×2, ×4, ×6, ×8, ×10….

Hence there should be 69120 in place of 691020

S22. Ans.(b)

Sol. Wrong number = 2

Patter of series-

1

3

1036

36 152

152  770

770  4632

S23. Ans.(c)

Sol. Wrong number = 4421

Patter of series-

Addition or subtraction of consecutive prime numbers

4418 + 2 = 4420

4420 – 3 = 4417

4417 + 5 = 4422

4422 – 7 = 4415

4415 + 11 = 4426

4426 – 13 = 4413

S24. Ans.(c)

Sol. Wrong number = 560

Patter of series-

2  = 3

3

8 = 27

27  = 112

112 565

565  = 3396

S25. Ans.(d)

Sol. Wrong number = 294

Patter of series-

108 + 8² = 172

172 + 7² = 221

221 + 6² = 257

257 + 5² = 282

282 + 4² = 298

298 + 3² = 307

Tips for Solving Number Series Questions

• Observe Differences: Check the difference between consecutive terms to see if it follows an arithmetic or increasing/decreasing pattern.
• Look for Multiplication or Division: If differences don’t show a pattern, try multiplication or division between terms.
• Check for Squares and Cubes: Identify if the series consists of perfect squares, cubes, or a combination.
• Alternate Patterns: Verify if there are two or more sub-patterns alternating throughout the series.
• Mixed Series: For complex series, consider the possibility of mixed patterns or sequences derived from known series like Fibonacci.
• Practice Time Management: Spend a reasonable amount of time on each question. If a pattern isn’t clear within 30-40 seconds, move on and return later if time permits.

Related Articles
Probability	Mensuration
Simplification Questions	Data interpretation
Quadratic Equation Questions	Profit & Loss Questions
Simple Interest Questions	Compound Interest Questions
Time & Distance Questions	Mixture & Allegation Questions