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Number Series Rules with solved Problems

Published on Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Series is an important chapter from banking examination point of view. Following are some of the important rules or order on which the number series can be made :-
  1. Pure Series
  2. Difference Series 
  3. Ratio Series 
  4. Mixed Series
  5. Geometric Series
  6. Two Tier Arithmetic Series
  7. Other Type

1. Pure Series

In this type of number series, the number itself obeys certain order so that the character of the series can be found out.
The number itself may be.
  • Perfect Square 
Example :
121, 144, 169, 225 ?
Answer - 256
  • Perfect Cube
Example :
6859, 5832, 4913, 4096, 3375, ?
Answer - 2744 


2. Difference Series

Example :
1348, 1338, 1318, 1288, 1248, ?
Answer - 1198

3. Ratio Series

Example :
336, 168, 84, 42, 21, ?
Answer - 10.5

4. Mixed Series

Example : 
222, 441, 1321, 2639, 7915, ?
Answer - 15827

5. Geometric Series

Example 1. 5, 35, 245, 1715, ?
Ans. 12005
Examples 2. 43923,3993, 363, 33, ?
Ans. 3

6. Two-tier Arithmetic Series

number series tricks for bank po


7. Other Type

To find the odd number from the number series. In this type of series the above rules are also followed.
Some Examples ;
  •  2, 3, 7, 22, 89, 440, 2677, 18740
Solution : ×1+1, ×2+1, ×3+1, ×4+1, ×5+1 ........
 So, 440 is replaced by 446
  • 5, 6, 14, 40, 89, 170, 291
Solution : +12, +32, +52, +72, +92
 So, 14 is replaced by 15.
  • 445, 221, 109, 46, 25, 114, 4
Solution : -3÷2, -3÷2........
So,46 is replaced by 53.
  • 12, 26, 56, 116, 244, 498, 1008
Solution : ×2+2, ×2+4 ×2+6,  ........
So, 116 is replaced by 118
  • 8, 27, 64, 125, 217, 343
Solution : 23, 33, 43, 53,.....
So, 217 is replaced by 216

Three Steps to Solve A Problem on Series

Step 1. Determine whether the series is increasing, decreasing or alternating.
Step 2. If the series is increasing or decreasing, then check :
  1. if change is slow or gradual, then it is a difference series
  2. if the change is equally sharp, throughout, then it is a ratio series.
  3. if the rise is very sharp initially , but slows down later, then series may be formed by adding squared or cubed numbers
If the series is alternating or irregular , there may be either a mix of two series or two different kinds of operations going on alternately.
Step 3. Complete the series accordingly.

I have made a video tutorial for this chapter here

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Ramandeep Singh

Ramandeep Singh - Educator

I'm Ramandeep Singh, your guide to banking and insurance exams. With 14 years of experience and over 5000 successful selections, I understand the path to success firsthand, having transitioned from Dena Bank and SBI. I'm passionate about helping you achieve your banking and insurance dreams.

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