Look at this series: 36, 34, 30, 28, 24, ... What number should come next?

Given data

• Series: 36, 34, 30, 28, 24, ...

Concept/ApproachAlternating differences: −2, −4, −2, −4, ...

Step-by-Step calculation36 − 2 = 3434 − 4 = 3030 − 2 = 2828 − 4 = 24Next: 24 − 2 = 22

Verification/AlternativeDifferences repeat in a 2-step cycle (−2, −4), so the next must be −2.

Common pitfalls

• Continuing with −4 again; that would break the alternation.

Final Answer22