A series is given with one term missing. Select the correct alternative from the given ones that will complete the series.
2, 3, 5, 9, 17, ?

Let's compute the difference between successive terms of the series:
3−2=1

5−3=2

9−5=4

17−9=8

The differences are doubling each step: 1,2,4,8,…
The next difference should be 8×2=16.

Therefore, the missing term is:

17+16=33