SOLUTION: Can you help me understand how to start/solve this number series problem? (10 * 4/2), (12/4 * 2), (14 * 4/2), _________ Thanks in advance.

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Question 1158317: Can you help me understand how to start/solve this number series problem?
(10 * 4/2), (12/4 * 2), (14 * 4/2), _________
Thanks in advance.

Found 2 solutions by MathLover1, greenestamps:
Answer by MathLover1(20850) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

I assume (%2812%2F4%29+%2A+2) should be (12%2A%284+%2F+2%29) because in both other cases you multiply by 4%2F2
(10+%2A+%284%2F2%29), (12%2A%284%2F2%29), (14+%2A+%284%2F2%29), _________simplify
(5+%2A+4), (6%2A4), (7+%2A+4), _________see pattern, 5,6,7 are multiplied by 4;
so, next one will be (16%2A%284%2F2%29)=(8%2A4)
(20+), (24), (28), 32,......

general formula:
a%5Bn%5D+=+4+%28n+%2B+4%29 (for all terms given) where n=1,2,3,....


Answer by greenestamps(13203) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


(1) It is not completely clear what the sequence is; and

(2) in a problem like this, I don't know what "solve" means.

I will treat the terms in the sequence simply as strings of characters, without trying to guess the meaning.

The first item in each term is an integer; they start at 10 and increase by 2 each time.

The remaining items in each term are the numbers 4 and 2, and the operators * and /. The 4 and 2 are always in that order; the order of the two operators switches from one term to the next.

If "solve" just means finding the next term in the sequence, my guess is that the new number is 16; and since the last term shown has * before /, the next term will have / before *. And the 4 and 2 will be in the same order as always.

Next term: (16 / 4*2)