What will come in place of question mark(?) in the given number series.
158 78 38 18 8 ?

Options

A. 3
B. 5
C. 2
D. 7

Answer

To solve the given number series: 158, 78, 38, 18, 8, ?, we need to identify the pattern in the series.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the first two numbers: 158 and 78.**
- To find the relationship, we can divide 158 by 2, which gives us 79.
- Then, we subtract 1 from 79 to get 78.
- **Calculation:** \( \frac{158}{2} - 1 = 79 - 1 = 78 \)

2. **Next, look at the second and third numbers: 78 and 38.**
- Again, we divide 78 by 2, which gives us 39.
- Then, we subtract 1 from 39 to get 38.
- **Calculation:** \( \frac{78}{2} - 1 = 39 - 1 = 38 \)

3. **Now, consider the third and fourth numbers: 38 and 18.**
- We divide 38 by 2, which gives us 19.
- Then, we subtract 1 from 19 to get 18.
- **Calculation:** \( \frac{38}{2} - 1 = 19 - 1 = 18 \)

4. **Next, look at the fourth and fifth numbers: 18 and 8.**
- We divide 18 by 2, which gives us 9.
- Then, we subtract 1 from 9 to get 8.
- **Calculation:** \( \frac{18}{2} - 1 = 9 - 1 = 8 \)

5. **Finally, we need to find the number that comes after 8.**
- We divide 8 by 2, which gives us 4.
- Then, we subtract 1 from 4 to get 3.
- **Calculation:** \( \frac{8}{2} - 1 = 4 - 1 = 3 \)

Thus, the number that comes in place of the question mark (?) is **3**.

### Final Answer:
The value of the question mark (?) is **3**.