What is the next number in the series 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ?

  • A. 36
  • B. 40
  • C. 42
  • D. 44

Explanation

The differences are 4, 6, 8 and 10, rising by two each time, so the next difference is 12 and the next term is 42. The same series can be written as n multiplied by n plus 1, giving 6 times 7 for the sixth term. Checking a pattern two ways is a good way to confirm it.

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