Let's see if anyone can complete this series

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a numerical series presented as a potential homework problem, with participants debating the validity of the series and the presence of a missing number, specifically 41. The scope includes reasoning about the sequence and its origins, as well as the implications of the missing number on determining the next element in the series.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the series is incomplete without the number 41, which they believe is crucial for determining the next element.
  • Others argue that the series can still be valid as presented, without the inclusion of 41, and encourage a closer examination of the existing numbers.
  • A participant mentions that they encountered this sequence in an old exam paper, implying that the context may influence the interpretation of the series.
  • There is a suggestion that the question may have been posed incorrectly by the exam writer, potentially due to an oversight in including 41.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the reliability of the exam source, noting that BITSAT has had inaccuracies in the past.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on whether the series is complete as presented or if the inclusion of 41 is necessary for a proper understanding of the sequence. Multiple competing views remain regarding the validity of the series and the implications of the missing number.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights potential limitations in the problem's formulation, including the dependence on the inclusion of specific numbers and the context of the original source material.

mia5
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2, 5, 14, 122, 365, ?

The options are :

a. 1029
b. 1094
c. 1059
d. 1000
 
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This looks like a homework problem so what do you think the answer is and why?

I think you left out 41 from your sequence.
 
jedishrfu said:
This looks like a homework problem so what do you think the answer is and why?

I think you left out 41 from your sequence.

it's not a homework problem and I did not leave any number
 
With 41, there is a nice way to describe the series, and the next element is one of those four options. Without 41, I don't see any (apart from "as [the series with 41], but remove every 4th element").

Where does the problem come from?
 
mfb said:
With 41, there is a nice way to describe the series, and the next element is one of those four options. Without 41, I don't see any (apart from "as [the series with 41], but remove every 4th element").

Where does the problem come from?
I came across this sequence while solving an old bitsat 2008 exam paper. Here's the link
http://www.bitsat.collegecutoff.com/bitsat_2008_question_paper.pdf
Qes no. 143
 
I think the question was probably posed wrong without the 41 in the sequence. It seems the exam writer could have left out the 41 by accident having just entered 14.
 
I think the series is all right.Just look more carefully.
 
jedishrfu said:
I think the question was probably posed wrong without the 41 in the sequence. It seems the exam writer could have left out the 41 by accident having just entered 14.
I agree with you. 41 is missing from the sequence.
 
BITSAT has got questions wrong in the past, this is probably one of them.
 

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