Select the numbers from among the given options that can replace the question marks (?) in the following series.
83,86,91,98,?,122,?
- A90, 171
- B92, 173
- C109, 139
- D98, 189
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
Let's look closely at the differences between consecutive numbers in the series:
86−83=3
91−86=5
98−91=7
The differences are successive prime numbers starting from 3 (or successive odd numbers: 3,5,7,…). Let's test both possibilities:
Possibility 1: Consecutive Odd Numbers (3,5,7,9,11,13,…)
Next difference should be 9:
First missing number=98+9=107
Following difference should be 11:
107+11=118
=122
(This logic fails)
Possibility 2: Consecutive Prime Numbers (3,5,7,11,13,17,…)
Next difference should be 11:
First missing number=98+11=109
Following difference should be 13:
109+13=122
(Matches perfectly!)
Next difference should be 17:
Second missing number=122+17=139
The missing numbers are 109 and 139.
86−83=3
91−86=5
98−91=7
The differences are successive prime numbers starting from 3 (or successive odd numbers: 3,5,7,…). Let's test both possibilities:
Possibility 1: Consecutive Odd Numbers (3,5,7,9,11,13,…)
Next difference should be 9:
First missing number=98+9=107
Following difference should be 11:
107+11=118
=122
(This logic fails)
Possibility 2: Consecutive Prime Numbers (3,5,7,11,13,17,…)
Next difference should be 11:
First missing number=98+11=109
Following difference should be 13:
109+13=122
(Matches perfectly!)
Next difference should be 17:
Second missing number=122+17=139
The missing numbers are 109 and 139.