SOLUTION: Next number in series 100 96 104 88 120 56

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Question 1043125: Next number in series 100 96 104 88 120 56
Found 2 solutions by jim_thompson5910, ikleyn:
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
100 ---> 96 is -4
96 ---> 104 is +8
104 ---> 88 is -16
88 ---> 120 is +32
120 ---> 56 is -64


So first we go down by 4, then up by 8, then down 16, then up 32, then finally down 64.

The pattern of numbers is: -4, +8, -16, +32, -64

Notice it's the powers of 2:
2^2 = 4
2^3 = 8
2^4 = 16
2^5 = 32
2^6 = 64
each term doubles. Also each term alternates in sign. One is positive, then the next is negative and so on.

The last difference is -64, which doubles to -128. Change the sign to positive to get +128

Add 128 to the last term of 56 to get
128+56 = 184

Therefore, the final answer is 184

Answer by ikleyn(52814) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
The previous tutor correctly determined the next number

under assumption that the pattern he established looking in the first given numbers is valid for the next number.

For me, these problems are puzzles, not math.