Question

What comes next in the series: 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ?

• A. 40
• B. 42
• C. 44
• D. 36

Answer 1

Answer:

B. 42

Look at the differences between consecutive terms:

• 6 − 2 = 4

• 12 − 6 = 6

• 20 − 12 = 8

• 30 − 20 = 10

The differences are increasing by 2 each time:

4, 6, 8, 10, 12

So the next term is:

30 + 12 = 42

Answer: 42

Alternative pattern: The terms also follow (n(n+1)):

• $(1 \times 2 = 2)$

• $(2 \times 3 = 6)$

• $(3 \times 4 = 12)$

• $(4 \times 5 = 20)$

• $(5 \times 6 = 30)$

• $(6 \times 7 = 42)$

So the next number is 42.