What will come in place of question mark in following number series 120 140 172 228 332 ?

Options

A. 542
B. 522
C. 502
D. 532

Answer

To find the missing number in the series 120, 140, 172, 228, 332, ?, we will analyze the differences between consecutive terms and identify a pattern.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **List the numbers**:
- The series is: 120, 140, 172, 228, 332.

2. **Calculate the differences between consecutive terms**:
- 140 - 120 = 20
- 172 - 140 = 32
- 228 - 172 = 56
- 332 - 228 = 104

So, the differences are: 20, 32, 56, 104.

3. **Calculate the differences of the differences**:
- 32 - 20 = 12
- 56 - 32 = 24
- 104 - 56 = 48

The second level differences are: 12, 24, 48.

4. **Calculate the differences of the second level differences**:
- 24 - 12 = 12
- 48 - 24 = 24

The third level differences are: 12, 24.

5. **Identify the pattern in the third level differences**:
- The third level differences seem to double each time (12, 24). If we continue this pattern, the next difference would be 48.

6. **Calculate the next second level difference**:
- 48 + 48 = 96.

7. **Calculate the next first level difference**:
- 104 + 96 = 200.

8. **Calculate the next term in the series**:
- 332 + 200 = 532.

### Conclusion:
The number that will come in place of the question mark is **532**.