Number Series — Find the Wrong Term (Add Cubes Pattern) Identify the incorrect number in: 93, 309, 434, 498, 521, 533.

Introduction / Context:
Many crafted sequences add successive cubes to generate the next term. If one step deviates from the expected cube addition, that term is the wrong number in the series.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Sequence: 93, 309, 434, 498, 521, 533
• Exactly one term is incorrect.
• Suspect additions of 6^3, 5^3, 4^3, 3^3, 2^3, ...

Concept / Approach:
Compute consecutive differences and compare them to consecutive cubes: 216, 125, 64, 27, 8, ... This reveals where the deviation occurs.

Step-by-Step Solution:
309 − 93 = 216 = 6^3 ✔434 − 309 = 125 = 5^3 ✔498 − 434 = 64 = 4^3 ✔521 − 498 = 23 ✖ (should be 27 = 3^3)533 − 521 = 12 ✖ (should be 8 = 2^3) — this mismatch is a consequence of the earlier error.Correct fourth step: 498 + 27 = 525. Hence, 521 is the wrong term (it breaks the cube pattern first).

Verification / Alternative check:
Correct sequence would continue as 93, 309 (+216), 434 (+125), 498 (+64), 525 (+27), 533 (+8). This validates that 521 is the lone incorrect term.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• 309, 434, 498: These conform exactly to adding 6^3, 5^3, and 4^3 respectively.

Common Pitfalls:
Stopping the check after a single difference. Always examine multiple consecutive steps to confirm a hypothesized pattern like cubes, squares, or factorial increments.

Final Answer:
521