# Number Patterns: 11,13,17,19,23,29,31,...?

#### lahirurana

Moved form a technical forum, so homework template missing
Im little bit new to number patterns. Can any one please solve this for me

11,13,17,19,23,29,31,?

This maybe pretty easy one but im little bit confused.

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#### BvU

Homework Helper
What have you tried to do to solve it, so far ?

#### lahirurana

What have you tried to do to solve it, so far ?
Different between consecutive numbers are 2 4 2 4 6 2
As my opinion next should be 4. So the answer should be 31+4=35
If the pattern go further it should be like 2 4 2 4 6 2 4 6 8 2 4 likewise. But the answe is given as 37

#### DrClaude

Mentor
Different between consecutive numbers are 2 4 2 4 6 2
As my opinion next should be 4. So the answer should be 31+4=35
If the pattern go further it should be like 2 4 2 4 6 2 4 6 8 2 4 likewise. But the answe is given as 37
In my first attempt, I got the same number as you did. But looking at the numbers again, I realised that this is not a sequence based on a progression, but is related to an inherent property of the numbers (in other words, it has nothing to do with the difference or any other mathematical relation between two consecutive numbers). Hope this is a helpful hint.

#### lahirurana

In my first attempt, I got the same number as you did. But looking at the numbers again, I realised that this is not a sequence based on a progression, but is related to an inherent property of the numbers (in other words, it has nothing to do with the difference or any other mathematical relation between two consecutive numbers). Hope this is a helpful hint.
Ohhhh s*** How could i miss that. Thank you very much sir. Primary Numbers

#### BvU

Homework Helper
If it's any consolation: I went for 35 too !

#### lahirurana

There are more like this ill add them later. First i have to try something on them. thank you very much.

#### DrClaude

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If it's any consolation: I went for 35 too !
That shows that such problems can have multiple solutions. Unless a context is given, I see no reason why 35 wouldn't be a valid answer.

#### CWatters

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Ohhhh s*** How could i miss that. Thank you very much sir. Primary Numbers
Does that actually count as a "sequence" given there isn't an equation for the nth term?

#### lahirurana

Does that actually count as a "sequence" given there isn't an equation for the nth term?
I dont think that it can be take from nth term

#### DrClaude

Mentor
Does that actually count as a "sequence" given there isn't an equation for the nth term?
The OP never used the term sequence, only pattern.

#### lahirurana

The OP never used the term sequence, only pattern.
Yep All sequences are patterns but not all patterns will be squences

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Good catch.

#### SammyS

Staff Emeritus
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Does that actually count as a "sequence" given there isn't an equation for the nth term?
That is definitely a sequence. There is no such requirement that an equation is needed for the nth term.

#### Mark44

Mentor
That is definitely a sequence. There is no such requirement that an equation is needed for the nth term.
I agree.

#### Mark44

Mentor
But the answe is given as 37
If it's any consolation: I went for 35 too !
37 seemed to me to be the obvious next number in the sequence, for the reason that DrClaude gave.

Primary Numbers
We call them prime numbers in English.

#### LCKurtz

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Gold Member
And here's a formula for the whole sequence, starting with $2,~3,~5,~7~...$

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