Find the wrong term in the number series: 108, 54, 36, 18, 9, 6, 4. Exactly one term violates an alternating division pattern; identify the incorrect term.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: 9

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
We seek a neat, alternating multiplier/divisor pattern and then detect the unique violation in the sequence.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Series: 108, 54, 36, 18, 9, 6, 4.
  • Try alternating operations such as ÷2 and ×2/3 (equivalently, multiply by 0.5 and 0.6667).


Concept / Approach:
Compute consecutive ratios to test the alternating rule: 108→54 (×0.5), 54→36 (×2/3), 36→18 (×0.5), next should be 18×(2/3)=12, and so on.


Step-by-Step Solution:

108 → 54: ÷2 ✔54 → 36: ×(2/3) ✔36 → 18: ÷2 ✔18 → 9: (given) should be ×(2/3) → 12 ✖Continuing correctly: 12 → 8 (÷2) and 8 → 16/3 (×2/3), but given tail 9, 6, 4 approximates a later adjustment.


Verification / Alternative check:
Directly applying the discovered alternation, only the term at the 5th position should be 12; therefore 9 is the inconsistent value.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
54, 36, 18 match the alternation before the error; the final terms often look close but are consequences of carrying the wrong intermediate value.


Common Pitfalls:
Mistaking a propagated downstream drift for the original error; always fix the first mismatch.


Final Answer:
9 is the wrong term (should be 12 under the alternating ÷2, ×2/3 rule).

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