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Number series (decreasing gaps): Find the next term in 120, 99, 80, 63, 48, ? Observe the first differences and extend the pattern to compute the missing term. Choose the correct value.

Q: Number series (decreasing gaps): Find the next term in 120, 99, 80, 63, 48, ? Observe the first differences and extend the pattern to compute the missing term. Choose the correct value.

Compute first differences 99 − 120 = −21 80 − 99 = −19 63 − 80 = −17 48 − 63 = −15 Pattern Differences increase by +2 each step (−21, −19, −17, −15 …). Next difference and term Next diff = −13 ⇒ Next term = 48 − 13 = 35.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: 35

Explanation:

Compute first differences
99 − 120 = −21 80 − 99 = −19 63 − 80 = −17 48 − 63 = −15

Pattern
Differences increase by +2 each step (−21, −19, −17, −15 …).

Next difference and term
Next diff = −13 ⇒ Next term = 48 − 13 = 35.

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