What Is the Next Number in This Mathematical Sequence?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying the next number in the mathematical sequence: 2, 3, 10, 15, 26, 35, 50, ?. Participants explore various methods and reasoning to arrive at their answers, with a focus on mathematical patterns and differences between terms.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the next number is 63, with different methods of arriving at this conclusion.
  • One participant describes a method involving the differences between the terms: 1, 7, 5, 11, 9, and 15, suggesting a pattern in how to calculate the next difference.
  • Another participant outlines a step-by-step approach to derive 63, involving a sequence of additions and subtractions starting from the first term.
  • A younger participant shares a similar method to arrive at 63, emphasizing the simplicity of their approach.
  • One post presents an alternative sequence formula, S(n) = 2, 3, 10, 15, 26, 35, 50, 63, suggesting a mathematical expression for the sequence.
  • There are multiple variations of reasoning leading to the same conclusion, but no single method is universally accepted as correct.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the next number is likely 63, but they present competing methods and reasoning to justify this conclusion. There is no consensus on a single correct approach, and multiple interpretations of the sequence exist.

Contextual Notes

Some methods rely on specific assumptions about the sequence's structure, and the reasoning involves various mathematical operations that may not be universally applicable. The discussion reflects a range of interpretations and calculations without resolving the underlying mathematical principles.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in mathematical sequences, pattern recognition, and problem-solving strategies may find this discussion engaging.

cjbreen
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What is the next number in the sequence? 2, 3, 10, 15, 26, 35, 50, ?
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
Is this some sort of homework question?
 
63
1st..(1*1)+1 odd
2nd (2*2)-1 even
3rd (3*3)+1 odd
...
8th (8*8)-1 even
 
yeah i got 63 too, but in a different way i think.
basically, the differences between them respectively, are 1, 7, 5, 11, 9, and 15.
divide it like this: 1, 7, 5, and 11, 9, 15
then take the sum of the last two digits in the first set, and subtract the first. so in this case, 7 + 5 -1.
you get 11, which is the next difference.
do this with the second set of 11, 9, and 15 and you'll get 13 as the next difference, meaning that 50 + 13 should be the next number.
that's how i got 63.
let me know what you guys think.
 
nabeelr said:
yeah i got 63 too, but in a different way i think.
basically, the differences between them respectively, are 1, 7, 5, 11, 9, and 15.
divide it like this: 1, 7, 5, and 11, 9, 15
then take the sum of the last two digits in the first set, and subtract the first. so in this case, 7 + 5 -1.
you get 11, which is the next difference.
do this with the second set of 11, 9, and 15 and you'll get 13 as the next difference, meaning that 50 + 13 should be the next number.
that's how i got 63.
let me know what you guys think.

This is what I was thinking as well. I suspect it.anoopk's solution was probably the original intention. Seems a bit less random.
 
Last edited:
i got 63, too, but a different way, i got it by 2+1=3, add 6 to the one, 3:7=10, subtract 2 from the 7, add the number you grt<5> 15, add the 6 to 5 get 11 add 11 get 26 subtract 2 get 9 add 9 get 35 add 6 get 15 add 15 to 35 get 50 subtract 2 get 13 add 13 to 50 get 63 yay i win
 
i got it a different way: =2+1=3 add 6 to 1 get 7 add 7 get 10 subtract 2 get 5 add 5 get 15 add 6 get 11 add 11 get 26 subtract 2 get 9 add 9 get 35 add 6 get 15 add 15 get 50 subtract to add 13 get 63 =[] this is the immature way to do it but i got it done in 3 minutes and I am only 12...
 
alexk174 said:
i got it a different way: =2+1=3 add 6 to 1 get 7 add 7 get 10 subtract 2 get 5 add 5 get 15 add 6 get 11 add 11 get 26 subtract 2 get 9 add 9 get 35 add 6 get 15 add 15 get 50 subtract to add 13 get 63 =[] this is the immature way to do it but i got it done in 3 minutes and I am only 12...
that was too easy
 
10 10 11 12 15 16 21
 
  • #10
S(n) = 2, 3, 10, 15, 26, 35, 50, 63, ... , (n2) - (-1)n


T(n) = (n2) - (-1)n
 

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