What will come in place of question mark (?) in the given question
5 12 40 86 147 ?

Options

A. 216
B. 210
C. 212
D. 220

Answer

To solve the problem, we need to identify the pattern in the given series: 5, 12, 40, 86, 147, ?.

### Step 1: Identify the differences between consecutive terms
Let's calculate the differences between each pair of consecutive terms in the series:
- 12 - 5 = 7
- 40 - 12 = 28
- 86 - 40 = 46
- 147 - 86 = 61

So, the differences are: 7, 28, 46, 61.

### Step 2: Identify the differences of the differences
Next, we will calculate the differences of the differences:
- 28 - 7 = 21
- 46 - 28 = 18
- 61 - 46 = 15

So, the second-level differences are: 21, 18, 15.

### Step 3: Identify the pattern in the second-level differences
Now, let's observe the pattern in the second-level differences:
- The differences are decreasing by 3 each time (21 - 3 = 18, 18 - 3 = 15).

### Step 4: Calculate the next second-level difference
Following the established pattern, the next second-level difference should be:
- 15 - 3 = 12.

### Step 5: Calculate the next first-level difference
Now, we will use this new second-level difference to find the next first-level difference:
- The last first-level difference was 61, so we will add the new second-level difference (12) to it:
- 61 + 12 = 73.

### Step 6: Calculate the next term in the series
Finally, we will add this new first-level difference (73) to the last term in the series (147):
- 147 + 73 = 220.

Thus, the next term in the series is **220**.

### Conclusion
The number that will come in place of the question mark (?) is **220**.

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