Home » Aptitude » Odd Man Out and Series

Number pattern — identify the odd term in the alternating pattern: 5, 16, 6, 16, 7, 16, 9

Difficulty: Easy

9
7
6
None of these

Correct Answer: 9

Explanation:

Introduction / Context:
This sequence alternates between a changing number and a fixed number. Detecting the alternating positions (odd/even indices) quickly reveals which entry is inconsistent.

Given Data / Assumptions:

Sequence: 5, 16, 6, 16, 7, 16, 9
Positions: 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th terms are the varying stream; 2nd, 4th, 6th terms are constant.

Concept / Approach:
Read terms in two interleaved subsequences: one fixed at 16, the other apparently increasing by 1 each occurrence. Any break in either subsequence marks the odd term.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Fixed subsequence (even positions): 16, 16, 16 — consistent.Varying subsequence (odd positions): 5 → 6 → 7 → expected 8.But the last odd-position term is 9, which skips 8.Therefore, 9 is the odd term.

Verification / Alternative check:

Corrected sequence would be 5, 16, 6, 16, 7, 16, 8.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

7 and 6 fit the +1 progression; “None of these” is incorrect because a clear outlier (9) exists.

Common Pitfalls:

Treating the series as a single arithmetic progression rather than two interwoven sub-series.

Number pattern — identify the odd term in the alternating pattern: 5, 16, 6, 16, 7, 16, 9

More Questions from Odd Man Out and Series

Discussion & Comments