Lesson 3 of 5 | Reasoning Methods
Number Series: Test Simple Structures First
Reasoning Methods
Search order
Check first differences, second differences, ratios, alternating positions, and familiar families such as squares or primes. This order prevents overfitting.
Examples
For 3, 8, 15, 24, ?, differences are 5, 7, 9, so the next difference is 11 and the answer is 35. For 2, 6, 3, 9, 4, ?, split odd and even positions: 2,3,4 and 6,9,12; the answer is 12.
Verification
Your rule must explain every supplied transition, not only the final two. If two rules work, prefer the simpler rule consistent with standard question construction and verify against the options.