In the number series 2, 17, 89, 359, 1079, what number should come next in place of the question mark so that the pattern continues?

Introduction / Context:
This number series question involves a non standard pattern where each term is obtained from the previous term using a changing multiplier and a small additive adjustment. The series 2, 17, 89, 359, 1079, ? is deliberately designed to be challenging and requires careful observation of how the terms grow and how the operations applied to each term change from step to step.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The series of terms is 2, 17, 89, 359, 1079, ?. - The pattern relates each term to its immediate predecessor using multiplication and addition. - We seek a rule consistent across all transitions that also leads to one of the given options.

Concept / Approach:
- Look at how much each term increases compared to the previous term. This suggests trying expressions of the type next = previous * k + c where k and c may vary. - In some series, multipliers may decrease steadily and the added constants may follow a small pattern. - Once a plausible rule is identified for all known steps, apply it to obtain the next term and check with the options.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Observe the jump from 2 to 17. One convenient way to write this is 2 * 8 + 1 = 17. Step 2: From 17 to 89 we can write 17 * 5 + 4 = 89. Step 3: From 89 to 359 we can write 89 * 4 + 3 = 359. Step 4: From 359 to 1079 we can write 359 * 3 + 2 = 1079. Step 5: Notice that the multipliers are 8, 5, 4, 3 and the added constants are 1, 4, 3, 2. After the first step, the multipliers are descending as 5, 4, 3 and the added constants are small integers that also change slowly. Step 6: The natural extension of this pattern is to use the next smaller multiplier, 2, together with the next small constant, 1. Step 7: Therefore, the next term should be 1079 * 2 + 1. Step 8: Compute this value: 1079 * 2 = 2158; adding 1 gives 2159.

Verification / Alternative check:
Even though this pattern is not as simple as a pure arithmetic or geometric progression, the sequence 2 * 8 + 1, 17 * 5 + 4, 89 * 4 + 3, 359 * 3 + 2, 1079 * 2 + 1 is internally consistent. The multipliers step down as 8, 5, 4, 3, 2 while the added constants 1, 4, 3, 2, 1 remain small and fit a natural decreasing pattern at the end. This yields a unique continuation 2159, which matches one of the options.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A (2137): This value cannot be obtained from 1079 by a simple integer multiplier and a small integer adjustment consistent with the observed pattern. Option B (2121): Similarly, 2121 is not equal to 1079 * 2 + c or 1079 * 3 + c for any small constant c that would fit earlier steps. Option C (2377): This is too large compared to 1079 and would require breaking the descending multiplier structure. Option E (2197): This number is notable as 13^3 but it does not follow from the relation used in the earlier steps of this specific series.

Common Pitfalls:
- Trying only simple difference or ratio based approaches without considering combined multiply and add relations. - Expecting the same multiplier throughout, which does not fit the data here. - Giving up on a pattern as soon as one simple idea fails rather than exploring more flexible forms like a_n+1 = a_n * k + c where k and c may change in a controlled way.

Final Answer:
The number that continues the observed pattern in the series is 2159.