What comes next?5, 3, 42, 86, 15, 24, 25, 168, 2, 4, ?

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The discussion revolves around identifying the next number in a sequence presented as a palindrome. The sequence includes numbers like 5, 3, 42, 86, and others, with the answer proposed as 35. A palindrome is defined as a sequence that reads the same forwards and backwards, which is central to solving the puzzle. Participants clarify that the placement of commas affects the interpretation of the sequence, leading to various potential palindromic formations. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the structure of the sequence to arrive at the correct answer, with some participants exploring alternative interpretations and configurations.
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What comes next?

5, 3, 42, 86, 15, 24, 25, 168, 2, 4, ?
 
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6 could it be
 
Nope, not 6.

Larger.
 
Answer: 35[/color]
- - - - - - - -
 
Good job, Bicycle Tree! You're good.
 
Is anybody going to explain?
 
Ok. The sequence is a palindrome.[/color]
 
In that case, 3 would serve as well (until moo added the extra condition).
 
what palindrome suppose to mean ?
 
  • #10
Man... darn... I saw it right after I looked at BicycleTree's response... Oh well.

ArielGenesis said:
what palindrome suppose to mean ?

Palindrome is the same backwards as it is forwards... they just have the commas in strange places.
 
  • #11
But there's an infinite number of options that makes it a palindrome. For example:
42861524251682435
142861524251682435
1142861524251682435
11142861524251682435
111142861524251682435
1111142861524251682435

And so on.
 
  • #12
If you take the 4 (from the 24) as the middle of the sequence, then the numbers before and after are the same. So directly before/after the 4 there is a 2 then a 5 then a 1 then a 6 and then an 8 and so on. I would have thought that the answer could have also been:
'3, 5' (but then there would be more commas on the right of the 4) [/color]

PS
 
Last edited:
  • #13
so the trick is just right at the comma. i got it. thanks all
 
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