Let's analyze the pattern in the series:
8, 18, 38, 78, 158, ?
Now check the differences between consecutive terms:
18 – 8 = 10
38 – 18 = 20
78 – 38 = 40
158 – 78 = 80
The pattern in differences is:
+10, +20, +40, +80
This appears to be doubling each time.
So the next difference should be:
+160
Now add 160 to the last term:
158 + 160 = 318