Select the number from among the given options that can replace the question mark (?) in the following series.
264,136,72,40,?

Let's examine the mathematical operation linking each consecutive term:
2
264
​
+4=132+4=136

2
136
​
+4=68+4=72

2
72
​
+4=36+4=40

Following this uniform division logic:

2
40
​
+4=20+4=24
Hence, the next number in the sequence is 24.