Introduction
Here, I will explain Number Series and Analogy Tricks for Competitive Exams.
Number series and analogy are very important sections in exams. From these topics, we usually get up to 7 questions, which makes them crucial to focus on. It is also important to solve these questions in less time because without tricks, they can be very difficult and time-consuming.
That’s why learning tricks with proper concepts and practicing regularly will help you solve these questions faster. Tricks simply mean identifying and understanding the hidden pattern in the series. Once you learn the most common patterns that are frequently asked in exams, solving them becomes much easier. Now, let’s start with Number Series first, and then move on to Analogy Series.
Number Series Tricks
Number Series is divided into two: Basic series and Advance series. Basic series usually follow simple addition, subtraction, or multiplication patterns, while Advance series include complex logics like squares, cubes, Fibonacci, or mixed patterns. Understanding both types is crucial because exams often test a mix of easy and tricky questions.
Basic series
The basic number series in reasoning exams are usually based on simple arithmetic patterns such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, squares, and cubes. These are the most common types of questions asked, and once you understand the logic, they can be solved quickly. Let’s go through each type with easy examples for better understanding.
1. Addition Series (+)
Here each number is formed by adding a fixed value.
Example:
2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ?
Here, each number is +2.
Answer: 12
2. Subtraction Series (–)
Here each number decreases by a fixed value.
Example:
100, 95, 90, 85, ?
Each term is –5.
Answer: 80
3. Multiplication Series (×)
Numbers are obtained by multiplying with a constant or pattern.
Example:
2, 4, 8, 16, 32, ?
Each number is ×2.
Answer: 64
4. Division Series (÷)
Numbers are obtained by dividing with a constant.
Example:
256, 128, 64, 32, ?
Each term is ÷2.
Answer: 16
5. Squares (n²)
Series is formed using perfect squares.
Example:
1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ?
These are 1², 2², 3², 4², 5²…
Answer: 36 (6²)
6. Cubes (n³)
Series is formed using perfect cubes.
Example:
1, 8, 27, 64, 125, ?
These are 1³, 2³, 3³, 4³, 5³…
Answer: 216 (6³)
This is about basic series. Now let’s move to advance series
Advance Series
In this we get advance series and the patterns are
1. Multiple Addition (+, +, + … different steps)
Instead of adding the same number, the addition changes.
Example:
2, 5, 9, 14, 20, ?
+3, +4, +5, +6 …
Answer: 27
2. Multiple Subtraction (–, –, – … different steps)
Each term is reduced with increasing subtraction.
Example:
100, 95, 87, 76, 62, ?
–5, –8, –11, –14 …
Answer: 45
3. Step Difference Series
Here, the difference itself has a pattern (like +2, +4, +6).
Example:
3, 6, 11, 18, 27, ?
Differences = +3, +5, +7, +9 …
Answer: 38
4. n² + or – Constant
Numbers are close to squares.
Example:
2, 5, 10, 17, 26, ?
(1²+1), (2²+1), (3²+1), (4²+1), (5²+1)
Answer: 37 (6²+1)
5. n² + or – n
Numbers are in square ± n pattern.
Example:
0, 2, 6, 12, 20, ?
(1²–1), (2²–2), (3²–3), (4²–4), (5²–5)
Answer: 30 (6²–6)
6. n³ + or – Constant
Numbers follow a cube + constant pattern.
Example:
2, 9, 28, 65, 126, ?
(1³+1), (2³+1), (3³+1), (4³+1), (5³+1)
Answer: 217 (6³+1)
7. n³ + or – n
Cube minus or plus n.
Example:
0, 6, 24, 60, 120, ?
(1³–1), (2³–2), (3³–3), (4³–4), (5³–5)
Answer: 210 (6³–6)
8. Fibonacci Series
Each number = sum of previous two numbers.
Example:
1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, ?
Answer: 21 (8+13)
Twist in exams: Fibonacci +1, or Fibonacci ×2.
9. Alternative / Mixed Series
Two different patterns run alternately.
Example:
2, 4, 12, 14, 42, 44, ?
Odd terms: ×3 → 2, 12, 42 …
Even terms: +10 → 4, 14, 44 …
Answer: 132
10. Illogical / Wrong Number Series
One number does not fit the pattern (you must find the odd one).
Example:
2, 6, 12, 20, 30, 42
Pattern is n(n+1): 2(1+1)=2, 3(2)=6, 4(3)=12, 5(4)=20, 6(5)=30, 7(6)=42 → all correct.
But if series was:
2, 6, 12, 21, 30, 42
21 is wrong (should be 20).
Miscellaneous Number Series
1. Combination of Two Patterns
Addition + Multiplication together.
Example:
2, 6, 18, 54, ?
Multiply by 3 each time.
Answer: 162
But if given:
3, 7, 15, 31, 63, ?
Pattern = (×2 +1)
Answer: 127
2. Squares + Multiplication
Example:
2, 6, 18, 54, 162, ?
Each term = previous ×3
Answer: 486
Another twist:
2, 5, 10, 17, 26, ?
n² +1 pattern
Answer: 37
3. Cubes with Difference
Example:
1, 8, 27, 64, 125, ?
n³ pattern
Answer: 216 (6³)
But exams may give:
2, 9, 28, 65, 126, ?
(n³ +1)
Answer: 217
4. Prime Numbers with Additions
Example:
2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, ?
Prime numbers
Answer: 17
Variation:
2, 5, 10, 17, 26, ?
n²+1 (also primes may appear)
Answer: 37
5. Alternate Fibonacci / Mixed
Example:
2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, ?
Fibonacci → sum of previous two
Answer: 34
Variation:
2, 4, 8, 6, 18, 8, ?
Odd terms ×2, Even terms +2
Answer: 32
6. Geometric Series (× with ratio)
Example:
2, 4, 8, 16, 32, ?
Each ×2
Answer: 64
7. Mixed Operations (× then ±)
Most common in bank exams.
Example:
2, 5, 11, 23, 47, ?
Pattern = ×2 +1
Answer: 95
Another:
3, 7, 15, 31, 63, ?
Pattern = ×2 +1
Answer: 127
8. Factorials with Twist
Example:
1, 2, 6, 24, 120, ?
n! factorial
Answer: 720 (6!)
But if given:
1, 2, 6, 24, 121, 720
Here 121 is wrong number.
9. Square of Prime Numbers
Example:
4, 9, 25, 49, 121, ?
Squares of prime numbers (2², 3², 5², 7², 11² …)
Answer: 169 (13²)
10. Special / Trick Series
When examiners want to confuse students.
Example:
1, 2, 6, 24, 120, 720, ?
Factorial
Answer: 5040 (7!)
Another tricky one:
1, 4, 18, 96, 600, ?
Multiply by increasing numbers (×2, ×3, ×4, ×5 …)
Answer: 4320
Summary of Miscellaneous Patterns:
- Combination (× and + together)
- Prime number logic
- Factorials
- Geometric progression
- Square / cube + adjustments
- Alternate & mixed logic
- Wrong number series
This is about some important tricks of number series. Now let’s learn about analogy. Analogy questions test your ability to find relationships between pairs of numbers or concepts. They require logical thinking and quick observation.
Analogy Number Series
Now let’s see some common pattern tricks.
1. Prime Numbers Analogy
Relationship based on prime numbers.
Example:
2 : 3 :: 11 : ?
Next prime after 11 is 13.
Answer: 13
2. Squares Analogy (n²)
Numbers are related by squares.
Example:
3 : 9 :: 5 : ?
3² = 9, so 5² = 25.
Answer: 25
3. Cubes Analogy (n³)
Numbers are related by cubes.
Example:
2 : 8 :: 4 : ?
2³ = 8, so 4³ = 64.
Answer: 64
4. Addition Analogy (+)
Relation is addition of a fixed number.
Example:
7 : 10 :: 15 : ?
+3 pattern → 7+3=10, 15+3=18.
Answer: 18
5. Subtraction Analogy (–)
Relation is subtraction of a fixed number.
Example:
20 : 15 :: 12 : ?
–5 pattern → 20–5=15, 12–5=7.
Answer: 7
6. Multiplication Analogy (×)
Relation is multiplication.
Example:
5 : 25 :: 6 : ?
5×5=25, so 6×6=36.
Answer: 36
7. Division Analogy (÷)
Relation is division.
Example:
20 : 10 :: 16 : ?
÷2 pattern → 20÷2=10, 16÷2=8.
Answer: 8
8. Illogical / Odd Analogy
One option does not follow the rule.
Example:
2 : 4 :: 3 : ?
Options: (6, 8, 9, 12)
Rule = ×2 → 2×2=4, so 3×2=6.
But if answer given as 9, that would be illogical (wrong).
9. Division + or – Analogy (÷ ±)
After dividing, we add or subtract a number.
Example:
20 : 12 :: 30 : ?
Logic: (20 ÷ 2) + 2 = 12
So, (30 ÷ 2) + 2 = 17
Answer: 17
10. Multiplication + or – Analogy (× ±)
Multiply then add or subtract.
Example:
5 : 27 :: 7 : ?
Logic: (5 × 5) + 2 = 27
So, (7 × 7) + 2 = 51
Answer: 51
Another:
6 : 34 :: 8 : ?
Logic: (6 × 6) – 2 = 34
So, (8 × 8) – 2 = 62
Answer: 62
11. Squares + Analogy (n² + c)
Square a number and add a constant.
Example:
4 : 17 :: 5 : ?
4² + 1 = 17
So, 5² + 1 = 26
Answer: 26
12. Squares – Analogy (n² – c)
Square a number and subtract a constant.
Example:
6 : 32 :: 7 : ?
6² – 4 = 32
So, 7² – 4 = 45
Answer: 45
13. Fibonacci Analogy
Relation is based on Fibonacci sequence.
Example:
1 : 2 :: 3 : ?
Fibonacci sequence: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 …
Here, after 2 comes 3, after 3 comes 5.
Answer: 5
Another:
5 : 8 :: 8 : ?
Fibonacci → after 8 comes 13.
Answer: 13
Now let’s see some common pattern tricks. Now this is about some analogy series.
Conclusion
These are some number and analogy series patterns. At first, they may seem difficult and hard to understand, but with daily revision, they will become easier, and you will be able to solve them quickly. Always try to solve previous year questions, understand those patterns, and revise them regularly. This will improve your problem-solving skills, and you will be able to identify the pattern just by looking at it. So, always revise daily, work hard, and work smart. All the best!
FAQs – Number Series and Analogy Tricks
1. What is a number series?
A number series is a sequence of numbers arranged in a specific rule or pattern.
2. How can I improve in number series questions?
Practice daily, revise common patterns, and solve previous year questions to get faster.
3. What is an analogy series?
An analogy series checks the relationship between numbers or words and tests logical thinking.
4. Why are number and analogy series important for exams?
They are commonly asked in competitive exams to test reasoning and problem-solving skills.
5. What is the best way to identify patterns quickly?
Revise tricks regularly and practice multiple types of series to recognize patterns at a glance.
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