Question:
Examine the following numbers and identify the next number:
53, 50, 45, 38, 29, _____
Examine the following numbers and identify the next number:
53, 50, 45, 38, 29, _____
53, 50, 45, 38, 29, _____
Updated On: Jul 15, 2026
- 11
- 17
- 18
- 21
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The Correct Option is C
Approach Solution - 1
The correct option is (C): 18.
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Approach Solution -2
Compute successive differences: \(50-53=-3\), \(45-50=-5\), \(38-45=-7\), \(29-38=-9\), each difference is 2 less than the previous, odd numbers -3, -5, -7, -9, so the next difference should be -11.
- Option A (11): 29-11=18, not 11 itself, so 11 would require a difference of -18, which breaks the -2 pattern.
- Option B (17): would need a difference of \(29-17=-12\), one off the expected -11.
- Option C (18): gives a difference of \(29-18=-11\), exactly continuing the sequence -3, -5, -7, -9, -11.
- Option D (21): would need a difference of \(29-21=-8\), which doesn't fit the descending odd-number pattern.
Therefore, the correct answer is 18.
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Approach Solution -3
Instead of tracking differences one step at a time, notice how much has been subtracted from the very first term, 53, by each position. From 53 to the 2nd term, 3 has been taken away; to the 3rd term, 3+5=8 has been taken away; to the 4th term, 3+5+7=15; to the 5th term, 3+5+7+9=24. These running totals, 3, 8, 15, 24, are exactly \( 1\times3, 2\times4, 3\times5, 4\times6 \), each the product of a position number and that number plus 2. Extending this to the 6th term needs the running total \( 5\times7=35 \), so the 6th term is \( 53-35=18 \).
- Option A (11): would require \( 53-11=42 \) to be the running total subtracted, which does not match the expected running total of 35.
- Option B (17): would require a running total of \( 53-17=36 \), one more than the expected 35, so it does not fit the pattern.
- Option C (18): requires a running total of \( 53-18=35 \), which is exactly \( 5\times7 \), matching the established pattern of running totals perfectly.
- Option D (21): would require a running total of \( 53-21=32 \), which does not match the expected 35 either.
Only 18 is consistent with the running-total pattern built from the first five terms.
Therefore, the correct answer is 18.
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Top CLAT Logical Reasoning Questions
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[Extracted, with edits and revisions, from “Stiff test: Editorial on depreciation of rupee & challenges before RBI”, The Telegraph]
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[Col. Wedgwood, MP, speaking in the British Parliament, 22 December 1919]
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