Number series – fill in the missing term. Sequence: 83, 73, 93, 63, __, 93, 43, …

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: 93

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This nonstandard numeric series alternates between downward “drops” and “resets” back to a hub value. Recognizing the alternating up/down motif and its magnitudes is essential to locating the correct missing number.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Sequence: 83, 73, 93, 63, __, 93, 43, …
  • Observed moves: −10, +20, −30, ?, +?, −50
  • Multiple appearances of 93 suggest it acts as a recurring anchor or reset point.


Concept / Approach:

Inspect the alternating step sizes. The downward steps visibly follow a pattern of increasing magnitude by 20: −10, −30, −50. Between these drops, the series jumps back up to 93, acting like a reset before the next, larger drop.



Step-by-Step Solution:

Start: 83 → 73 (−10).Then: 73 → 93 (+20), a reset up to 93.Next: 93 → 63 (−30).To continue the observed structure, reset again to 93: 63 → 93 (+30).Then the next known value is indeed 93 (already given after the blank), and the subsequent drop is 93 → 43 (−50), matching the growing drop pattern.


Verification / Alternative check:

The down-steps are −10, −30, −50 (increasing by 20 each time). Between the down-steps, the series returns to 93. This uniquely determines the missing term as 93.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:

33, 53, 73 move the value away from the reset pattern and break the required +30 rise from 63. Only 93 both preserves the reset behavior and keeps the later −50 step consistent.



Common Pitfalls:

Expecting a single arithmetic or geometric rule can be misleading. This sequence uses alternating large drops and resets to a fixed hub value.



Final Answer:

93

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