Given Series

1. Given number series: 2, 5, 11, 20, 32, ?

Question

Find the missing term in the sequence.

Answer

47.

Solution

1. Find the first-level differences:
2. 5 - 2 = 3
3. 11 - 5 = 6
4. 20 - 11 = 9
5. 32 - 20 = 12
6. Observe the first-level differences: 3, 6, 9, 12.
7. Find the second-level differences: 6-3=3, 9-6=3, 12-9=3 (constant difference of +3).
8. The next first-level difference will be 12 + 3 = 15.
9. Next term = 32 + 15 = 47.