Intro
Ready to flex your pattern-spotting muscles? Below are 10 missing-number sequence puzzles. Pick the answer from the options, then click Show answer to reveal the solution.
Worked Example
Sequence: 2, 3, 5, 8, 12, 17, ?
Options: A) 22 B) 23 C) 24 D) 25
Show answer
Differences are +1, +2, +3, +4, +5 (increasing by 1 each step), so next is +6.
17 + 6 = 23 → B) 23.
Puzzle 1
Sequence: 4, 7, 10, 13, ?
Options: A) 14 B) 15 C) 16 D) 17
Show answer
Constant difference +3 → 16 → C.
Puzzle 2
Sequence: 1, 3, 9, 27, ?
Options: A) 54 B) 81 C) 72 D) 36
Show answer
Geometric progression ×3 → next = 27 × 3 = 81 → B.
Puzzle 3
Sequence: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, ?
Options: A) 7 B) 8 C) 9 D) 10
Show answer
Fibonacci: sum of previous two → 3 + 5 = 8 → B.
Puzzle 4
Sequence: 1, 4, 9, 16, ?
Options: A) 20 B) 24 C) 25 D) 30
Show answer
Perfect squares (1², 2², 3², 4², 5²) → 25 → C.
Puzzle 5
Sequence: 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, ?
Options: A) 18 B) 19 C) 20 D) 21
Show answer
Pattern alternates +2, +4, +2, +4 → next +2 → 19 → B.
Puzzle 6
Sequence: 3, 5, 9, 17, ?
Options: A) 31 B) 33 C) 35 D) 37
Show answer
Rule: ×2 − 1 each step (3→5→9→17→(17×2−1)=33) → B.
Puzzle 7
Sequence: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, ?
Options: A) 12 B) 13 C) 15 D) 17
Show answer
Prime numbers in order → next prime 13 → B.
Puzzle 8
Sequence: 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, ?
Options: A) 20 B) 21 C) 22 D) 24
Show answer
Triangular numbers (+2, +3, +4, +5, +6) → 21 → B.
Puzzle 9
Sequence: 10, 5, 14, 7, 18, ?
Options: A) 8 B) 9 C) 10 D) 11
Show answer
Two interleaved sequences:
• 1st,3rd,5th: 10, 14, 18, (next 22) → +4 each
• 2nd,4th,6th: 5, 7, 9 → +2 each
We’re on the 6th term (second subsequence) → 9 → B.
Puzzle 10
Sequence: 2, 3, 5, 8, 12, 17, ?
Options: A) 22 B) 23 C) 24 D) 25
Show answer
Differences +1, +2, +3, +4, +5 → next +6 → 23 → B.