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Question

Three of the following four number-pairs are alike in a certain way and one is different. Pick the odd one out.

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2018 (Tier 2) Statistics Previous Year Paper (22-feb-2018)
The correct answer is

13 : 179

Finding the Odd Number Pair in Reasoning Questions

This type of question, often found in logical reasoning sections, asks you to identify the number pair that does not follow the same rule or pattern as the others. We are given four number pairs and need to find the one that is different.

Analyzing the Number Pairs

Let's look closely at the given pairs:

  • 14 : 201
  • 13 : 179
  • 12 : 149
  • 8 : 69

We need to find a mathematical relationship between the first number and the second number in each pair. A common pattern involves squaring the first number or applying a linear operation.

Discovering the Pattern

Let's try squaring the first number and seeing if there is a consistent addition or subtraction to get the second number.

  • For the pair 14 : 201: Let the first number be $x=14$. We check $x^2 = 14^2 = 196$. The second number is 201. The difference is $201 - 196 = 5$. So, the pattern could be $x^2 + 5$.
  • For the pair 13 : 179: Let $x=13$. We check $x^2 = 13^2 = 169$. The second number is 179. The difference is $179 - 169 = 10$. So, the pattern here is $x^2 + 10$.
  • For the pair 12 : 149: Let $x=12$. We check $x^2 = 12^2 = 144$. The second number is 149. The difference is $149 - 144 = 5$. So, the pattern is $x^2 + 5$.
  • For the pair 8 : 69: Let $x=8$. We check $x^2 = 8^2 = 64$. The second number is 69. The difference is $69 - 64 = 5$. So, the pattern is $x^2 + 5$.

Identifying the Odd One Out

Based on the analysis:

  • 14 : 201 follows the pattern $x^2 + 5$.
  • 13 : 179 follows the pattern $x^2 + 10$.
  • 12 : 149 follows the pattern $x^2 + 5$.
  • 8 : 69 follows the pattern $x^2 + 5$.

Three of the four pairs follow the pattern where the second number is obtained by squaring the first number and adding 5. The pair 13 : 179 does not follow this pattern; it requires adding 10 to the square of the first number.

Therefore, 13 : 179 is the odd one out among the given number-pairs.

Pattern Analysis of Number Pairs
Number Pair ($x : y$) First Number ($x$) $x^2$ Second Number ($y$) Difference ($y - x^2$) Pattern
14 : 201 14 196 201 5 $x^2 + 5$
13 : 179 13 169 179 10 $x^2 + 10$
12 : 149 12 144 149 5 $x^2 + 5$
8 : 69 8 64 69 5 $x^2 + 5$

Revision Table: Key Concepts

Key Concepts for Odd One Out
Concept Description
Odd One Out Identifying the item (number, word, pair, figure) that does not belong to a group based on a common property or rule.
Number Pair Reasoning Finding a relationship between the two numbers in a pair, often involving arithmetic operations, squares, cubes, digits, etc.
Pattern Recognition The ability to identify consistent rules or sequences in a set of data.

Additional Information: Common Patterns in Number Pairs

Besides squaring and adding/subtracting, number pair questions can use various patterns. Understanding these can help solve similar problems:

  • Linear Relationship: $ax + b = y$ (e.g., $3x + 2 = y$)
  • Cubes: $x^3 + \text{constant} = y$ or $x^3 - \text{constant} = y$
  • Multiplication/Division: $ax = y$ or $x/a = y$
  • Sum/Difference of Digits: Operations on the digits of the first number to get the second.
  • Prime/Composite Numbers: One number is prime, the other related based on its properties.
  • Sequence Based: The numbers might follow a specific sequence rule (e.g., Fibonacci).

Always test simple patterns first, like squares or cubes, before moving to more complex ones.

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Similar Questions

  1. Identify the roll number that doesn't fit this rule.
    Last 3 digits = First 3 digits + 100
  2. If 2 * 3 = 8, 3 * 4 = 81, then 4 * 5 = ?
  3. Find the missing number: 17 : 4914 :: 19 : ?
  4. Find the missing number: $23 : 125 :: 31 : ?$

  5. How many of these roll numbers are palindromes? List: 123321, 654456, 112211, 123456

  6. The second number in the given number-pairs is obtained by performing certain mathematical operation(s) on the first number. The same operation(s) is/are followed in all the number-pairs except one. Find that odd number-pair.

  7. Three of the following four triads are alike in a certain way as they are formed by performing same mathematical operations among themselves and thus form a group. Which triad does NOT belong to that group?

  8. The second number in the given number-pairs is obtained by performing certain mathematical operation(s) on the first number. The same operation(s) is/are followed in all the number-pairs, except one. Find that odd number-pair.

    (NOTE: The relation should be found without breaking down the numbers into its constituent digits)

  9. The second number in the given number pairs is obtained by performing certain mathematical operation(s) on the first number. The same operation(s) are followed in all the number pairs, EXCEPT one. Find that odd number pair.

  10. Three of the following four triads are alike in a certain way as they are formed by performing same mathematical operations among themselves and thus form a group. Which triad does NOT belong to that group?


Important Questions from Number Based

  1. Four number triads have been given, out of which three are alike in some manner and one is different. Select the number triad that is different.

  2. Choose the odd number out of the given options.

  3. Identify the odd one from the following.

  4. Identify the number that is different from the rest.

  5. Four numbers have been given out of which three are alike in some manner, while one is different. Choose the odd one.

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