What will come in place of the question mark (?) in the following number series?
13, 19, 31 ,49, 73 (?)

Options

A. 97
B. 103
C. 109
D. 91

Answer

To find the missing number in the series 13, 19, 31, 49, 73, we will analyze the differences between the consecutive terms.

1. **Calculate the differences between consecutive terms:**
- 19 - 13 = 6
- 31 - 19 = 12
- 49 - 31 = 18
- 73 - 49 = 24

So, the differences are: 6, 12, 18, 24.

2. **Identify the pattern in the differences:**
- The differences themselves are increasing. Let's look at the differences between these differences:
- 12 - 6 = 6
- 18 - 12 = 6
- 24 - 18 = 6

The second level of differences is constant at 6.

3. **Predict the next difference:**
- Since the pattern of the differences is increasing by 6 each time, the next difference after 24 will be:
- 24 + 6 = 30

4. **Add this difference to the last term in the series:**
- The last term in the series is 73. Adding the next difference:
- 73 + 30 = 103

Thus, the number that will come in place of the question mark (?) is **103**.