All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

The series given below contains a sequence of numbers. Accordingly identify the incorrect combination.
5, 9, 27, 31, 94, 97, 292

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2025 Tier 1 Question Paper (25-Sep-2025) (Shift 3)
The correct answer is
94 , 292

Sequence Pattern Analysis

The question asks to identify the incorrect combination in the number sequence: 5, 9, 27, 31, 94, 97, 292. We need to determine the underlying pattern governing the sequence.

Identifying the Pattern

Let's examine the relationship between consecutive numbers. A common approach for such sequences is to look for alternating arithmetic operations. Let's test the pattern: add 4, then multiply by 3.

  1. Start: The first number is 5.
  2. Operation 1: Add 4. $5 + 4 = 9$. This matches the second number in the sequence.
  3. Operation 2: Multiply by 3. $9 \times 3 = 27$. This matches the third number.
  4. Operation 3: Add 4. $27 + 4 = 31$. This matches the fourth number.
  5. Operation 4: Multiply by 3. $31 \times 3 = 93$. The sequence shows 94 instead of 93. This is the first point where the sequence deviates from the simple pattern.
  6. Operation 5: Add 4. If the previous number had been 93, then $93 + 4 = 97$. The sequence shows 97, which aligns correctly *if* we assume the sequence intended to reach 93 and then proceed.
  7. Operation 6: Multiply by 3. $97 \times 3 = 291$. The sequence shows 292 instead of 291. This is the second point of deviation.

Analyzing Deviations

Based on the identified add 4, multiply by 3 pattern, the expected sequence is: 5, 9, 27, 31, 93, 97, 291.

Comparing this to the given sequence (5, 9, 27, 31, 94, 97, 292), we find the following discrepancies:

  • The number 94 appears where 93 is expected.
  • The number 292 appears where 291 is expected.

Evaluating Options

The question asks for the incorrect combination. We assess the options based on these identified deviations:

  • Option 1 (27, 292): 27 fits the pattern, but 292 deviates.
  • Option 2 (97, 292): 97 fits the pattern (relative to the corrected 93). 292 deviates.
  • Option 3 (31, 94): 31 fits the pattern. 94 is the first number that deviates from the pattern ($31 \times 3 \neq 94$).
  • Option 4 (94, 292): This combination consists of both numbers that deviate from the simple add 4, multiply by 3 pattern. 94 deviates from the expected 93, and 292 deviates from the expected 291.

Conclusion

The combination (94, 292) is the incorrect one because both numbers represent deviations from the underlying add 4, multiply by 3 pattern. This pair highlights the primary errors within the sequence provided.

Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. What should come at the place of question mark? 1, 8, 27, 64, 125, ?, 343
  2. In the following number series, a wrong number is given. Find out the WRONG number.
    1, 4, 16, 64, 324
  3. What comes next: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, ?, ?
  4. What should come at the place of question mark?
    100, 81, 64, 49, ?, 25
  5. Find the WRONG number in the given series.
    5040, 720, 120, 24, 4, 2
  6. What comes next: 10, 17, 26, 37, 50, ?
  7. Complete the series: 0, 7, 26, 63, ?
  8. What should come at the place of question mark?
    144, 121, 100, 81, ?, 49
  9. 3, 6, 18, 72, 360, ?
  10. Identify the pattern.
    111x222, 222x333, 333x444, ______. Which fits next?

Important Questions from Number Series

  1. Select the number from among the given options that can replace the question mark (?) in the following series.

    37, 52, 74, 104, 143, ?

  2. Select the number that can replace the question mark (?) in the following series.

    17, 19, 22, 27, 34, 45, 58,?
  3. Select the number from among the given options that can replace the question mark (?) in the following series.

    10, 14, 31, 35, 73, 77, ?

  4. Select the number from among the given options that can replace the question mark (?) in the following series.

    215, 231, 256, 292, ?

  5. Select the number from among the given options that can replace the question mark (?) in the following series.

    6, 6, 8, 24, 28, 140, ?

Need Expert Advice?
Test Series
SSC CGL img
SSC
SSC CGL (Tier I + Tier II) 2026 Mock Test Series - Latest Pattern
1736 Tests 6 Tests Free
1846 Attempts
4.2(846)
English, Hindi

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App