What is the next number? 2, 7, 8, 3, 12, 9

Solution:

We have to determine the pattern of numbers followed in the sequence 2, 7, 8, 3, 12, 9

Assume the next three terms of the sequence be x, y, z, that is, the sequence is 2, 7, 8, 3, 12, 9, x, y, z. Let's do a grouping of the sequence into three groups. Let the first group be (2, 7, 8), the second group be (3, 12, 9), and the third group be (x, y, z).

There is a difference of 1 in the first elements of the first and second group, that is, 3-2 = 1, a difference of 5 in the second element of the first and second group, that is, 12 - 7 = 5, and a difference of 1 in the third element of the first and second group, that is, 9-8 = 1. Following the same pattern, we consider the elements of the second and third groups and we have x - 3 = 1, y - 12 = 5, and z - 1 = 5 ⇒ x = 4, y = 17, z = 6.

Hence, the next number will be 4

What is the next number? 2, 7, 8, 3, 12, 9

Summary:

The next number in the sequence 2, 7, 8, 3, 12, 9 is 4.