Understanding the Number and Symbol Series Question

The question asks us to analyze a given series of numbers and symbols. We need to identify how many numbers in this series meet a specific condition: each qualifying number must be immediately preceded by a symbol AND immediately followed by a symbol. The counting process should only be done from left to right.

The Given Series

The series provided is:

$2 4 & # $ 4 7 6 6 & 1 * $ 2 © 9 4 8 € $ * 4$

Identifying Symbols and Numbers

First, let's list all the unique symbols present in the series:

• $&$
• $#$
• $
• $*$
• $©$
• $€$

All other characters in the series are numbers.

Step-by-Step Analysis of the Series

We will now go through the series from left to right and check each number against the given condition. The condition requires a pattern like: Symbol Number Symbol.

Let's examine each number in the series:

• The first two numbers, $2$ and $4$, are at the beginning or followed by other numbers/symbols but not in the required Symbol-Number-Symbol pattern.
• The number $4$ (after $) is preceded by a symbol ($) but followed by a number ($7$). This does not meet the condition.
• The numbers $7$, $6$, and the second $6$ do not meet the condition as they are preceded by numbers or followed by numbers.
• Now consider the number $1$:
  • It is preceded by the symbol $&$.
  • It is followed by the symbol $*$.
  This number $1$ satisfies the condition (Symbol-Number-Symbol).
• Next, consider the number $2$ (located after the pair of symbols $):
  • It is preceded by the symbol $.
  • It is followed by the symbol $©$.
  This number $2$ also satisfies the condition (Symbol-Number-Symbol).
• The numbers $9$, $4$, and $8$ do not meet the condition. For instance, $9$ is preceded by a symbol ($©$) but followed by a number ($4$). $4$ is preceded by $9$ (number). $8$ is preceded by $4$ (number).
• The last number, $4$, is preceded by a symbol ($*$) but it is at the very end of the series, so it is not followed by a symbol.

Counting the Qualifying Numbers

By analyzing the series step-by-step, we found two numbers that perfectly fit the criteria:

1. The number $1$ (preceded by $&$, followed by $*$)
2. The number $2$ (preceded by $, followed by $©$)

Therefore, there are exactly 2 such numbers in the series that are immediately preceded by a symbol and immediately followed by a symbol.