Number series – find the next two terms: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 4, 8, ?, ?

Introduction / Context:This sequence combines a short run of consecutive integers with a compress–expand adjustment, and then resumes incremental growth. We must identify the cycle and continue it.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Series: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 4, 8, ?, ?
• The first five terms are consecutive integers.
• A downward reset occurs (6 → 4), immediately followed by a doubling (4 → 8).

Concept / Approach:

Interpret the pattern as: increase by 1 for a short run, then apply a “compress then expand” operation (drop, then double), then resume the +1 run from the new higher base.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Resuming +1 after the expand step is consistent with the sequence’s earlier incremental pattern and yields a smooth continuation.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

4 8 repeats the compress–expand, not a continuation; 10 4 or 9 4 break the resumed +1 growth; 8 9 starts with a duplicate of the last term.

Common Pitfalls:

Overfitting a single arithmetic rule to all steps; this series deliberately inserts a transform before resuming simple increments.

Final Answer:

9 10