dR Rajesh THAKUR

MSc (Mathematics & Operation Research),

MA (Education/Sociology), ETE, BEd, PhD
Dr S R singh
MSc, PhD (Zoology), BEd, FZSI,
Ex-Principal, Shri Ramakrishna Vivekananda, Vidyapeeth, Madhya Pradesh
Subhash Jain
MSc (Physics), Rajasthan University, Jaipur
Mamta mehrotra
MSc (Zoology)
principal, Bishop Scott Boy's School, Patna

Prabhat
Prakashan
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A Complete Study Guide for ntse

by Dr Rajesh Thakur, Dr S R Singh, Subhash Jain & Mamta Mehrotra

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 Preface

About NTSE (National Talent Search Examination): NTSE is a talent based evaluation system scientifically
designed for class X students. It measures an individual’s strengths and weaknesses on the basis of the concepts
learnt at school. More than three lacs mastermind students appear in this scholarship exam every year and one
thousand scholarships are awarded, out of which approx. 77% are for general category.
The Central Government awards scholarships to NTSE scholars for pursuing studies in sciences and social
sciences up till doctoral level. In case of a professional course like engineering or medicine, the scholarship is
granted up to postgraduate level. The scholarship for PhD programs is as per the UGC standards.
Some colleges in India have seats reserved exclusively for NTSE scholars. This prestigious exam is your
gateway to an excellent college in future. If you are aspiring to opt for advanced studies out of the country, then
you have an edge over others as an NTSE scholar. It also acts as a differentiator to choose whether to apply for
MS/MBA. Those applying for US scholarships get additional marks for being an NTSE qualifier. The universities
abroad are familiar with NTSE and give preference to candidates who have qualified the exam.
In NTSE the most important parameter is MAT (Mental Aptitude Test) as it does not have a well-defined
syllabus. The questions level in SAT (Scholastics Science, Mathematics and Social science) are of higher level
based on class IX and X syllabus, as well required to be must solved them in a time-bound manner. Success in long
terms comes from a combination of the right preparation, hard training and natural skills. In order to try to reach
maximum; projection angle should be 45°. Examinations, tests, competitions, interviews are the challenges which
you must face right now and conquer with confidence and ease. If you have ‘will’, victory is yours. If you show
courage, you can make the conquest.
“The main objective of the NTSE guide is to develop in the students the ability to understand any problem in
simple and logical manner and to apply to its solution a few well-understood basic principles.” In this guide each
chapter begins with an essential theory to know the approach of concepts and analytical view to learn and cover all
the concepts included in the NTSE syllabus and the illustrations have been reconstituted to more closely follow the
general problem solving strategy to reinforce good problem solving skills. At the end Mock Test is given to check
the understanding of that examination pattern and to find where to work more to improve performance.
Elementary children are keen to learn, to explore, to try things out, to observe things, to talk about what they
object. They love to play with magnets, discovering that some things are attracted to magnets and some things are
not – even through water, plastic and sand, discovering the idea that some ends of straight magnets attracted each
other and some ends repel. They are enthralled by the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into beautiful butterfly. They
get excited watching things that swing and things that balance. They are desirous of the changes that occur during
the seasons, by the setting of the sun, by the countless stars in the night sky, by the many shapes of the moon, by the
different colours of rocks, by the magic of seeds sprouting.
This effort is a synergistic creation of numerous minds. It is designed to help you stay out of the difficulties
that come when you think small and get too involved in memorising formulas or other specific details without
understanding the principles, fundamentals. It is hoped that students will find the book useful in their preparation
for NTSE; don’t take my word for it, better read and analyse yourself; I request you to give your valuable feedback
to rectify and to improve this book at on [email protected]
You could be a successful student! GOOD LUCK!
AUTHORS
CONTENTS
Preface iii 20. Mirror and Water Images I.B.141
PART ONE: MENTAL ABILITY TEST (MAT) 21. Figure Puzzles I.B.148
Section A: Verbal Test 22. Figure Construction and Analysis I.B.159
1. Inserting the Missing Numbers I.A.5 PART TWO: SCHOLASTIC ABILITY TEST (SAT)
2. Number Series I.A.10 Section A: Mathematics
3. Odd Man Out I.A.19 1. Numbers and Operations II.A.5
4. Alphabetical Series I.A.28 2. LCM and HCF II.A.14
5. Analogies I.A.34 3. Square and Cube Roots II.A.20
6. Coding and Decoding I.A.45 4. Surds, Indices and Logarithm II.A.29
7. Analytical Reasoning I.A.53 5. Average II.A.40
8. Counting of Geometrical Patterns I.A.59 6. Ratio and Proportion II.A.43
9. Direction and Distance I.A.62 7. Partnership II.A.47
10. Clocks I.A.70 8. Percentage II.A.52
11. Calendar Problems I.A.77 9. Profit and Loss II.A.57
12. Dice and Cube I.A.83 10. Interest: Si and Ci II.A.61
13. Blood Relationship I.A.89 11. Problems on Ages II.A.67
14. Venn Diagram I.A.96 12. Mensuration II.A.71
15. Placing and Ordering Puzzles I.A.104 13. Plane and Coordinate Geometry II.A.86
Section B: Non-verbal Test 14. Triangle II.A.96
16. Series Completion I.B.117 15. Quadrilateral II.A.107
17. Odd Man Out I.B.128 16. Circle II.A.112
18. Analogies I.B.131 17. Pair of Linear Equations II.A.122
19. Paper Folding and Cutting I.B.136 18. Polynomials II.A.129
 vi

19. Quadratic Equations II.A.137 5. Reproduction and Growth II.D.36

20. Progression II.A.145 6. Heredity and Evolution II.D.46
21. Probability II.A.157 7. Structure of a Cell II.D.58
22. Statistics II.A.162 8. Diversity in Living Organisms II.D.66
23. Trigonometry II.A.177 9. Health and Diseases II.D.77
24. Height and Distance II.A.187 10. Natural Resources and Management II.D.88

Section B: Physics Section E: History

1. Measurement II.B.3 1. The Making of Global World II.E.3
2. Motion II.B.9 2. The French and Russian Revolutions II.E.9
3. Force II.B.20 3. Nazism and the Rise of Hitler II.E.14
4. Work, Energy and Power II.B.28 4. Forest Society and Colonialism II.E.17
5. Gravitation II.B.35 5. Modern World: Pastoralists, Peasants
and Farmers II.E.21
6. Sound Waves II.B.42
6. Sports and Clothing II.E.26
7. Fluid Mechanics II.B.50
7. Nationalism in Europe II.E.31
8. Thermometry II.B.57
8. The Nationalist Movement in Indo-China II.E.36
9. Optics: Reflection II.B.63
9. Nationalism in India II.E.39
10. Optics: Refraction II.B.71
10. Global World and Industrialisation II.E.45
11. Electricity II.B.87
11. Work, Life and Leisure II.E.49
12. Chemical, Heating and
12. Print Culture and the Modern World II.E.53
Magnetic Effects of Current II.B.99
13. Novels, Society and History II.E.57
13. Sources of Energy II.B.112
14. The Universe II.B.120 Section F: Geography
1. India: Physical Features II.F.3
Section C: Chemistry
2. Drainage and Climate II.F.7
1. Matter II.C.3
3. Natural Vegetation, Wild Life and Resources II.F.12
2. Acid, Base and Salts II.C.14
4. Population II.F.16
3. Atomic Structure II.C.21
5. Resources for Human Needs II.F.19
4. Periodic Properties II.C.28
6. Water Resources and Agriculture II.F.25
5. Chemical Bonding II.C.37
7. Minerals and Energy Resource II.F.31
6. Chemical Reaction II.C.44
8. Manufacturing Industries II.F.36
7. Carbon and its Compounds II.C.50
9. Lifelines of the National Economy II.F.40
8. Metals and Non-metals II.C.57 Section G: Economics
Section D: Biology 1. Production of Goods and Services II.G.3
1. Nutrition II.D.3 2. Human Resources II.G.5
2. Respiration and Transportation II.D.11 3. Poverty – A Big Challenge II.G.7
3. Excretion and Locomotion II.D.20 4. Food Security in India II.G.10
4. Control and Coordination II.D.27 5. Development II.G.13
 vii

6. Sectors of the Indian Economy II.G.16 6. Political Parties II.H.23

7. Money and Credit II.G.20 7. Democratic Rights II.H.27
8. Globalisation and the Indian Economy II.G.23 8. Power Sharing II.H.31
9. Consumer Rights II.G.26 9. Federalism II.H.35
Section H: Political Science 10. Diversity in Society II.H.40
1. Democracy in the Contemporary World II.H.3
11. Gender, Religion and Caste II.H.43
2. What is Democracy? Why Democracy? II.H.7
12. Challenges and Outcomes of Democracy II.H.47
3. Constitutional Design, Popular Struggles
and Movements II.H.10 Mock Test
4. Electoral Politics II.H.15 1. MAT (Mental Ability Test) – I II.1
5. Working of Institutions II.H.19 2. SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) – II II.8
 PART ONE
MENTAL ABILITY TEST (MAT)
 Section A—Verbal Test
 Section B—Non-verbal Test
 Section

vERBAL TEST

Chapter in this sECTION

1. Inserting the Missing Numbers I.A.5
2. Numbers Series I.A.10
3. Odd Man Out I.A.19
4. Alphabetical Series I.A.28
5. Analogies I.A.34
6. Coding and Decoding I.A.45
7. Analytical Reasoning I.A.53
8. Counting of Geometrical Patterns I.A.59
9. Direction and Distance I.A.62
10. Clocks I.A.70
11. Calendar Problems I.A.77
12. Dice and Cube I.A.83
13. Blood Relationship I.A.89
14. Venn Diagram I.A.96
15. Placing and Ordering Puzzles I.A.104
Inserting the Missing Numbers I.A.5

1 Inserting the Missing Numbers

By using your logical reasoning skills and mathematical Example 3. Select the number which will replace the mark ‘?’
operations please try to figure out which number is missing in in pattern given below.
the given problem. The numbers around will give you the clues
you need to solve the problem. You have to crack the pattern of 8 7 8
the given numbers and find the missing one that would replace 6 9 3 5 49 4 2 ? 3
the question mark: It looks easy but in reality is not that much.
4 9 9

Note a. 64 b. 100 c. 81 d. 144

Zoologists tell us that mammals other than humans are only Solution: (d) Figure 1: [(8  4)  (6  3)]  9 2

able to count up to three or four, while our early ancestors were

Figure 2: [(7  9)  (5  4)]2  49
able to count further. They believed that the necessity for
numbers became more apparent when humans started to build Figure 3: [(8  9)  (2  3)]2  144
their own houses, as opposed to living in caves and the like. Thus, the required number is 144.

Example 1. Fill in the blank squares of the magic square so Example 4. Fill in the boxes with the correct digits.
that the sum of the numbers in each column, row and both the 3  4  I Row
diagonals is 0.  3 7 1 II Row
33 –44 11
    III Row
–22 0 22 2  7  2  IV Row
9 7  8   V Row
–11 44 –33
 2  4 2 6  VI Row
Solution:
Solution: The sum of the numbers in each column, row and
3 2 4 6
both diagonals is 0.
 3 7 1
3 2 4 6
0
2 2 7 2 2 
–11 44 9 7 3 8  
1 2 0 4 2 6 6
Example 2. Find the missing number in the third circle.
Example 5. Find the missing number form the options which
will replace the question mark (?) in the given patterns.
6 7 8
7 11 13
13 27 15 31 17 ?
15 23 27
484 1156 ?
a. 64 b. 35 c. 81 d. 144
Solution: (b) 6  12  7, 7  12  8 a. 1300 b. 1500 c. 1400 d. 1600
13  2  15, 15  2  17 Solution: (d) (7  15)  484; (11  23)  1156
2 2

27  2 2  31, 31  2 2  35  (13  27) 2  1600

I.A.6 A Complete Study Guide for NTSE

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which number replaces the blank and completes the 6. Which number replaces the blank and completes the
sequence? sequence?
2 7 57 76 73
4 6 1 7
12 5
8

14 4 6 3
2 3 11 ?
a. 2 b. 7 c. 3 d. 1
9 21
a. 8 b. 6 c. 2 d. 3 7. Which number is missing from this sequence?

2. Which number goes in the empty box?

14 4 1
2 3 9

7 6 2 6 6 2
16 11 12
1 9 6
25 20 ?

a. 21 b. 42 c. 23 d. 32
a. 5 b. 4 c. 2 d. 1
3. A set of figures carrying certain character is given.
8. Which number goes in the empty circle?
Assuming that the characters in each set follow a similar
pattern, find the missing character. 27 74 71

25 17 38 18 89 16 3 1 8
6 8 ?
4 1
a. 13 b. 15 c. 17 d. 19
4. Following a logical pattern, complete this puzzle. a. 5 b. 3 c. 6 d. 9
5 3 8 2 7 9 9. Which number completes the puzzle?
4 9 13 3 1 4 27 73 75

3 6 9
14 11 13
7 1 ?
a. 6 b. 11 c. 9 d. 8 1 19
5. Which number replaces the blank and completes the
sequence? a. 10 b. 26 c. 23 d. 4
7 2 9
10. Find the missing number form the options which will
replace the question mark (?) in the given patterns.
3 12
27 68 43 62 51 84
1 4 16
19 ? 27
a. 9 b. 3 c. 6 d. 2
a. 18 b. 21 c. 23 d. 15
Inserting the Missing Numbers I.A.7
11. Which number replaces the question mark in the bottom 16. Which number is missing from the third circle?
square?
9 3 9 1 2 3 4 7 5

13 65 26
5 2 3 8
a. 5 b. 31 c. 9 d. 1
17. Fill in the empty box.
6 4 2 5
3 4

6 12 5 ?
24 24
a. 2 b. 9 c. 7 d. 5
5 3 ? 4 2
12. Which number is missing?

3 9 3 24
8 4
5 7 1 a. 2 b. 11 c. 15 d. 21
18. Following a logical sequence, can you complete this
7 1 puzzle?
5 13 4 3 19 8
a. 6 b. 5 c. 8 d. 3
13. Which number is missing from the empty segment? 6 10 2 6 20

a. 21 b. 22 c. 7 d. 16
2 9
19. Which number is missing?
6
5 3 4
3 4
6 7
a. 10 b. 36 c. 15 d. 24
14. Enter the correct number into the empty square. 3 4 2

4 9 2 a. 9 b. 5 c. 8 d. 1
20. Which number is missing from the third wheel?
8 5 1
3 6 5 4 7 12
4 7 8 9 2 11
1 3
1 2 3 6 3
a. 11 b. 15 c. 7 d. 17 a. 8 b. 11 c. 9 d. 14
15. Following a logical pattern, complete this puzzle. 21. Which number is missing in the last grid?
1 5 7 1 3 7 2 8
4 6
1 5 4 6 14 11 20 14

3 8 2 13 3 8

12 5 2 18 13
a. 5 b. 15 c. 6 d. 13 a. 2 b. 5 c. 9 d. 14
I.A.8 A Complete Study Guide for NTSE
22. Which number completes this sequence? 26. Which number completes the middle star ?
2 5 10 4 a. 10 b. 8 c. 1 d. 16

7 3 14 6 2 5 3
4 7 5 9 1 2
20 8 6 1 11 5 9

28 27. Find the missing number form the options which will
replace the question mark (?) in the given patterns.
a. 22 b. 17 c. 15 d. 12
a. 6 3 6 7
23. Which number completes this sequence? b. 7
c. 8 5 8 5
12 11 10
d. 9 4 7 ?
99 28. Find the missing number form the options which will
replace the question mark (?) in the given patterns.
a. 49 b. 81 c. 63 d. 59
3 5 4 7 3 5
24. Which number completes the chain? 39 51 ?
6 3 5 4 5 4

a. 47 b. 45 c. 37 d. 35
29. Find the missing term.
a. 10 F I
b. 13 D M
a. 13 b. 10 c. 11 d. 19
c. 12 4 ?
25. Using every number between 1 and 9 fill in the spaces on d. 14 6 9
this triangle so that the numbers on each side add up to 20.
30. Find the missing term.
1
1
3 16 2 18
? 17
6 4 7
3 19 5
5 2 4 9
20
a. 6, 9 b. 7, 5 c. 7, 8 d. 8, 7 a. 15 b. 21 c. 14 d. 18

ANSWERS
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 4. (d) Working in rows, add the left and centre numbers
b c b d a a b a c b together to give the result on the right.
11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 5. (a) In rows, add the left and centre figures to get the right
a d b a a d a c c a
hand number.
21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30.
6. (a) Taking the top and bottom lines separately, add the
b d b a d a a c b c
left and centre numbers, then subtract the right hand
SOLUTIONS number to give the figure in the middle.
7. (b) Number is each row add up to 14.
1. (b) In each square the bottom segment equals the sum of 8. (a) In rows, double the left and centre digits and add
the other segments. together to give the right hand figure.
2. (c) In columns, add the first three numbers together to get the 9. (c) Moving across each row, from top to bottom, the
numbers follow the sequence of prime numbers.
figure in the bottom box.
3. (b) 10. (b) (27  68)  5  19; (51  84)  5  27
Inserting the Missing Numbers I.A.9

So, (43  62)  5  ? 22. (d) As you go down each pair of numbers, the left hand
 ?  21. value equals the sum of the numbers above and the right
11. (a) In each square, the sum of the 3 outer numbers divided hand value equals the difference of the pair of numbers
by the central number always equals 6. above.
12. (d) Working in rows, the figure on the right equals half 23. (b) As you go down, subtract the sum of the separate
the difference between the left and central numbers. digits in each number form itself to give the next number.
13. (b) Segments in the right hand half equal the squares of 24. (a) Moving clockwise, each segment equals the sum of
the diagonally opposing segments on the left. the previous two segments.
14. (a) Working in rows, halve the first number, double the middle 25. (d)
1
number and add them together to give the right hand number.
8 3
15. (a) Working in rows, the first three numbers add up to the
right hand number. In the next line, the three numbers to 6 7
the right add up to the left hand numbers, etc. 5 2 4 9
16. (d) In each circle, the bottom number equals the sum of
the squares of the top two numbers. 26. (a) The values of the points of the central star equal the
17. (a) In each triangle, add the lower two digits and multiply sums of the values of the corresponding point of the left
by the top digit to give the value in the centre. and right hand stars.
18. (c) In each line, the central number equals the left hand 27. (a) (3  5)  2  4, (6  8)  2  7, (7  5)  2  6
number and double the right hand number. 28. (c) (3  3)  (6  5)  39, (4  4)  (5  7)  51,
19. (c) All vertical and diagonal lines through the centre add
So, (3  4)  (5  5)  37
up to 14.
29. (b)
20. (a) In each circle, the sum of the odd numbers plus one
equals the sum of the even numbers. 30. (c) 1  20; 5  16; 18  3; 2  19 and 17 + 4 is same i.e.,
21. (b) In each grid numbers move clockwise in steps given equal to 21.
by the central number. So, ? 7  21  21  7  14.

  
I.A.10 A Complete Study Guide for NTSE

2 Number Series
In the number series, some numbers are arranged in a particular Example 2.
sequence. One is required to observe the trend in which the Solution: Increasing difference:
numbers. After finding the relation between the numbers in the 1 4 8 13 19 26 34
given series, we can easily find the missing number or odd number
+3 +4 +5 +6 +7 +8
from the given series. Following are some of the important rules or
order on which the number series are based on:
Increasing difference

Note Decreasing difference:

Number series is a arrangement of numbers in a certain order, 7 16 24 31 37 42
where some numbers are wrongly put into the series of
+9 +8 +7 +6 +5
numbers and some number is missing in that series, we need to
observe and find the accurate number to the series of numbers. Decreasing difference
Paper setter is usually not asking AP, GP or HP questions. Just
try to find a pattern in the series and solve it. Sequence: II. Squares/Cubes Series: In this type all the terms are related
 Growing quickly: 2, 9, 28, 65, 126, (n3 + 1). In quick-growing to the squares of numbers or cubes of numbers. The number
sequences are cubes or fourth powers, or maybe factorials. itself obeys certain order so that the character of the series can
 Growing slowly: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10. If it is growing slowly just be found out.
addition or subtraction with particular number
 or in between: 2, 5, 10, 17, 26, 37, 50, (n2 + 1). If it is Squares Series:
growing in between, compare it to the sequence of squares
Example 3. Squares of consecutive odd numbers,
Solution:
I. Difference Series: Under this category, the change in the 1 9 25 49 81 121
order for the differences between each consecutive number of ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
the series is found out. The difference series can be further
12 32 52 72 92 (11)2
classified as:
 Number series with a constant difference: In the number
Squares of consecutive prime numbers – 1,
series with a constant difference, there is always a constant
difference between two consecutive numbers. 3 8 24 48 120
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
Examples 1.
Solution: 22 – 1 32 – 1 52 – 1 72 – 1 (11)2 – 1

3 8 13 18 23 28 33 38 43 Cubes Series:
+5 +5 +5 +5 +5 +5 +5 +5
Example 4. Cubes of consecutive even numbers,
Constant difference = + 5 Solution:
8 64 216 512
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
We can also have series of odd numbers or series of even
numbers in the number series with constant difference. 22 43 63 83
 Number series with an increasing or decreasing Cubes of consecutive prime numbers + 3,
difference: In the number series with an increasing or
11 30 128 346
decreasing difference, the difference between consecutive
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
terms are increasing or decreasing, as the case may be.
22 + 3 33 + 3 53 + 3 73 + 3
Number Series I.A.11
Squares: Example 7. 625 5 125 25 25 125 5.
1 1
2
2 4
2
3 9
2
4  16
2
5  25
2 Solution:Series I:
625 125 25 5
6  36
2
7  49
2
8  64
2
9  81
2
102  100
+5 +5 +5
112  121 122  144 132  169 142  196 152  225
162  256 172  289 182  324 192  361 202  400 Series II: 5 25 125
21  441
2
22  484
2
23  529
2
24  576
2
25  6252

×5 ×5

Cubes: Note: It includes triangular pattern series.

1 1
3
2 8
3
3  27
3
4  64
3

5  125
3
6  216
3
7  343
3
83  512 VI. Geometric series: A geometric series is a series with a
constant ratio between successive terms. Pattern Tn = arn-1 ( a =
93  729 103  1000 113  1331 123  1728
first term, r = common ratio, n = number of term).
133  2197 143  2744 153  3375 163  4096
173  4913 183  5832 193  6859 203  8000 Example 8. 5, 35, 245, 1715, ?
Solution:Here, a = 5, r = 7 and n = 5
III. Product Series: In this type of series, each term is T5 = 5 × 75 –1 = 5 × 2401 = 12005
multiplied by a fixed number or certain pattern to get the next
number. VII. Two-tier Arithmetic series: Under this category, the
differences of successive numbers form an arithmetic series.
Example 5.
Solution: (i) 3 12 48 192 768 Example 9. Find the sum of the first 10 terms of the following
×4 ×4 ×4 ×4 series: 3, 8, 13, 18, 23, 28, 33, 38, 43,…
Solution: If you observe the above series, you notice that there
Fixed or constant number
is a fixed difference of 5 between successive terms and so it is
(ii) 5 30 150 600 an Arithmetic Series.
Therefore, a =3, d = 5 and n = 10.
×6 ×5 ×4
[Tn = a + (n – 1) d]
Decreasing factor T10 = 3 + (10 – 1) 5 = 48

(iii) 7 28 140 840

Basic Approach to Number Series
×6 ×5 ×4 The best way/method of approaching the number series
Increasing factor questions:
 Firstly, analyse the difference between terms.
IV. Division Series: In this type of series, each term is divided  If the difference is constant, it is a constant difference.
by a fixed number or certain pattern to get the next number.  If the difference is increasing or decreasing by a constant
Under this category, the change in the order for the ratios number, then it is a series with a constant increasing or
between each consecutive number of these series is found out. decreasing difference.
 If there is no constant increasing or decreasing difference,
Example 6. then try product series approach.
Solution: 128 64 32 16 8  For the product series approach, first divide the second term
with the first term, third with the second and so on.
+2 +2 +2 +2
 If the numbers obtained are the same, then it is a product
Fixed or constant number series.
 If the difference is increasing or decreasing fastly, then try
V. Combination or Mixed Series: In this type of series, more the square series approach.
than one series is combined together with certain pattern.
I.A.12 A Complete Study Guide for NTSE
 If the increase is very much and it is not a square series, Example 14. 5 10 17 26 ___ 50
then try the cube series approach. Solution: (37)
 If the difference is alternately decreasing and increasing or 5 10 17 26 37 50
increasing for some time and alternately decreasing, then it
should most probably be a mixed series. So, check out the 22 + 1 32 + 1 42 + 1 52 + 1 62 + 1 72 + 1
series with alternate numbers.
 If still the series is not solved, try the general series. Example 15. 2 6 12 20 30 42 ___
Solution: (56)
Example 10. 34 6 9 13 18 ____ 2 6 12 20 30 42 56
Solution: (24)
3 4 6 9 13 18 24 12 + 1 22 + 2 32 + 3 42 + 4 52 + 5 62 + 6 72 + 7

+1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6
Example 16. 2 12 36 80 150 ___
Example 11. 4 8 16 32 64 ____ Solution: (252)
Solution: (128) 2 12 36 80 150 252

4 8 16 32 64 128
13 + 12 23 + 22 33 + 32 43 + 42 53 + 52 63 + 62

×2 ×2 ×2 ×2 ×2
Example 17. 2 3 10 15 26 35 ___
Example 12. 2 5 11 23 47 95 ____ Solution: (50)
Solution: (191) 2 3 10 15 26 35 50
2 5 11 23 47 95 191
12 + 1 22 – 1 32 + 1 42 – 1 52 + 1 62 – 1 72 + 1

×2+1 ×2+1 ×2+1 ×2+1 ×2+1 ×2+1

Example 18. 4 12 15 60 64 320 325 ___
This problem can also be solved by an alternate method. Solution: (1950)
2 5 11 23 47 95 191 4 12 15 60 64 320 325 1950

+3 +6 +12 +24 +48 +96

In this pattern, the difference between two consecutive terms is

doubling in each step. From the above, it is clear that the same × + × + × + ×
problem can be tackled by different methods. So, different 3 3 4 2 5 5 6
patterns can be identified for the same problem is certain cases.
Example 19. 1, 1, 3, 9, 6, 36, 10, 100, ____, 225
Example 13. 1 4 9 16 25 ____ Solution: The given series a mixture of two series.
Solution: (36) All the terms in the problem are prefect square I. 1, 3, 6, 10, …
of natural numbers. II. 1, 9, 36, 100, 125
1 4 9 16 25 36 The logic of I is 2,  3,  4,  5, and the logic of II is the

12 22 32 42 52 62
squares of the corresponding numbers of I. So, the missing
number is 10 + 5 i.e., 15.

Multiple Choice Questions

Directions: In each of the following questions, a number Type–I: Difference Series

series is given with one term missing. Choose the correct 1. 6, 12, 21, ?, 48
alternative that will continue the same pattern and replace a. 38 b. 40
the question mark in the given series: c. 45 d. 33
Number Series I.A.13
2. 10, 18, 28, , 40, 54, 70, ? 21. 89250, 17850, 7140, 1408, 571.2, ?
a. 85 b. 86 c. 87 d. 88 a. 126.12 b. 114.24 c. 228.48 d. 246.48
3. 1, 6, 15, ?, 45, 66, 91 22. 3, 10, 32, 100, ?
a. 25 b. 26 c. 27 d. 28 a. 460 b. 308
4. 6, 11, 21, 36, 56, ? c. 345 d. None of these
a. 42 b. 81 c. 51 d. 91 23. 17, 19, 10, ?, 35, 90
5. 0, 2, 8, 14, ? 34 a. 27.5 b. 16.5
a. 25 b. 23 c. 20 d. 24 c. 21 d. None of these
6. 0.5, 0.55, 0.65, 0.8, ? 24. 13, 25, 51, 101, 203, ?
a. 0.82 b. 0.95 c. 0.9 d. 1 a. 411 b. 405 c. 406 d. 407
7. 28, 33, 31, 36, ?, 39 25. 705, 728, 774, 843, 935, 1050, ?
a. 32 b. 34 c. 38 d. 40 a. 1180 b. 1187
8. 60.5 72 84.5 98 112.5 ? c. 1185 d. None of these
a. 127 b. 125 c. 126 d. 128
26. 15, 17, 21, 29, 45, 77, ?
9. 289 303 324 352 387 429 ? a. 125 b. 141
a. 473 b. 487 c. 558 d. 478 c. 173 d. None of these
10. 55 60 67 78 91 108 ?
Type – IV: Combination of Series
a. 89 b. 127 c. 125 d. 121
27. 10, 22, 8, 24, 6, ?
Type – II: Squares/Cubes Series a. 18 b. 26 c. 16 d. 12
11. 4, 8, 28, 80, 244, ? 28. 20, 20, 19, 16, 17, 13, 14, 11 ?, ?
a. 628 b. 728 c. 278 d. 428 a. 13, 14 b. 10, 11 c. 13, 16 d. 10, 10
12. 112, 111, 119, 92, 156, 31, ? 29. 19, 2, 38, 3, 114, 4, ?
a. 387 b. 247 c. 375 d. 287 a. 352 b. 256 c. 228 d. 456
13. 1, 4, 27, 256, 3125, 46656, ? 30. 23, 26, 24, 27, 25, 28, ?
a. 705894 b. 823543 c. 279936 d. 16807 a. 29 b. 26 c. 27 d. 24
14. 104, 153, 189, 214, ?
Type – V: Triangular Pattern Series
a. 235 b. 239
c. 225 d. None of these 31. 2, 12, 36, 80, 150, ?
a. 210 b. 258 c. 194 d. 252
15. 2, 6, 33, 49, 174, 210, ?
a. 426 b. 259 32. 2, 9, 28, ? 126, 217, 344
c. 274 d. None of these a. 82 b. 65 c. 50 d. 70

Type – III: Product/Division Series 33. 3, 20, 63, 144, 275, ?

a. 548 b. 554 c. 354 d. 468
16. 6 13 28 59 ?
a. 111 b. 122 c. 113 d. 114 Type – VI: Miscellaneous
17. 12 12 18 45 180 1170 ?
34. 3, 4, 12, ?, 576, 27648
a. 12870 b. 12285 c. 10530 d. 11700
a. 96 b. 48
18. 2916, 972, 354, 108, 36, 12 c. 64 d. 52
a. 2916 b. 972 c. 354 d. 36
35. 13 (168) 13, 14 (181) 13, 15 (?) 13
19. 23, 25, 53, 163, 657, 3291, ? a. 195 b. 194 c. 190 d. 196
a. 23045 b. 19753 c. 16461 d. 13169
36. 5 6 ? 57 244
20. 1250, 500, 200, 80, 32, 12.8, ? a. 15 b. 36
a. 5.16 b. 6.02 c. 6.4 d. 5.12 c. 17 d. None of these
I.A.14 A Complete Study Guide for NTSE
37. 15 17 32 49 81 130 ? 52. 11, 23, 48, 99, __, 409.
a. 226 b. 194 c. 179 d. 211 a. 200 b. 202 c. 201 d. 205
38. 1, 1000, 11011, 1000000, 1111101, ? 53. 17, 21, 37, 73, 137, 237, … .
a. 1100101 b. 11011000 a. 363 b. 369 c. 375 d. 381
c. 10000000 d. None of these
54. 5, 11, 25, 55, 117, 243, ….
39. 7, 12, 19, 28, 39, ___ a. 511 b. 499 c. 498 d. 497
a. 49 b. 57 c. 50 d. 52 55. 9, 19, 37, 75, 149, 299, ….
40. 1, 2, 6, 15, 31, ___. a. 598 b. 597 c. 599 d. 697
a. 47 b. 52 56. 13, 17, 33, 97, 353, ….
c. 55 d. 56 a. 1377 b. 653 c. 712 d. 1273
41. 5, 11, 23, 47, 95, ___. 57. 3, 7, 13, 21, 31, ….
a. 191 b. 161 a. 40 b. 41 c. 42 d. 43
c. 169 d. 190
58. 10, 12, 16, 24, 40, ….
42. 13, 24, 46, 90, 178, ….
a. 60 b. 56 c. 70 d. 72
a. 354 b. 266 c. 364 d. 344
59. 2, 7, 28, 63, 126, ….
43. 11, 12, 20, 47, … . a. 210 b. 213 c. 215 d. 219
a. 91 b. 101 c. 111 d. 121
60. 999, 730, 511, 344, 215, ….
44. 7, 15, 31, 63, 127, … .
a. 123 b. 126 c. 125 d. 130
a. 254 b. 265 c. 253 d. 255
45. 23, 48, 99, 203, 413, … 61. 8, 24, 48, 80, 120, ….
a. 927 b. 837 c. 937 d. 437 a. 158 b. 162 c. 164 d. 168

46. 5, 7, 10, 15, 22, … 62. 23, 27, 43, 79, 143, ….
a. 31 b. 32 c. 38 d. 35 a. 244 b. 243 c. 242 d. 241
63. 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 96
47. 7, 15, 29, 59, 117, … .
a. 4 b. 32 c. 64 d. 96
a. 230 b. 231 c. 233 d. 235
64. 5, 10, 17, 24, 37, 50, 65.
48. 98, 72, 14, …
a. 10 b. 17 c. 24 d. 37
a. 9 b. 8
c. 6 d. 4 65. 2, 5, 10, 17, 26, 37, 50, 64
a. 17 b. 26 c. 37 d. 64
49. 1, 3, 3, 6, 7, 9, …, 12, 21.
a. 10 b. 11 66. 13, 17, 19, 23, 27, 31
c. 12 d. 13 a. 13 b. 19 c. 27 d. 31

50. 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, …. 67. 17, 18, 22, 31, 46, 72

a. 29 b. 30 a. 17 b. 18 c. 31 d. 46
c. 32 d. 34 68. 7, 15, 69, 149, 307
51. 840, 168, 42, 14, 7, …. a. 15 b. 33 c. 69 d. 307
a. 1 b. 7 c. 9 d. 3 69. 126, 135, 144, 216, 154, 801
Type – VI: Missing Term a. 115 b. 216 c. 154 d. 801
Directions: Find the missing term in the following
70. 76, 89, 115, 167, 271, 489
questions. a. 115 b. 167 c. 271 d. 489
ANSWERS
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. b b b d d d d c c d
d d d b d d b d d b 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30.
11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. d b b b d b b d d b
Number Series I.A.15
31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 7. (b) The given sequence follows the pattern:
d b d b b b d b d d i.e. 28 33 31 36 34 39
41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50.
a a c d b d d d d d +5 –2 +5 –2 +5
51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. Therefore, Missing term  36 – 2  34.
b b d d b a d d c b 8. (d) The given sequence of number follows the pattern:
61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. + 11.5; + 11.5 + 1.0
d b d c d c d c c d
 + 12.5; + 12.5 + 1.0  + 13.5; + 13.5 + 1.0
 + 14.5; + 14.5 + 1.0  + 15.5.
SOLUTIONS
i.e. 60.5 72 84.5 98 112.5 128
1. (d) The given sequence follows the pattern:
+11.5 +12.5 +13.5 +14.5 +15.5
+6, +12, +15, . . .
Therefore, Missing number  112.5 + 15.5  128.
i.e. 6 12 21 33 48 9. (d) The given sequence of number follows the pattern:
+6 +9 +12 +15 + 14; + 14 + 7
 + 21; + 21 + 7  + 28; + 28 + 7
Therefore, Missing term = 21 + 12 = 33.
2. (d) The given sequence follows the pattern:  + 35; + 35 + 7  + 42; + 42 + 7  + 49
+8, +10, +12, +14, . . . 289 303 324 352 387 429 478

i.e. 10 18 28 40 54 70 88 +14 +21 +28 +35 +42 +49

+8 +10 +122 +145 +16 +185 +7 +7 +7 +7 +7

Therefore, Missing term  70 + 18  88. Therefore, Missing number  429 + 49  478.
3. (d) The given sequence follows the pattern: 10. (b) The given sequence of number follows the pattern:
+5, +9, +13, +17, +21, +25, . . . + 5; + 7; + 11; + 13; + 17; + 19.
i.e. i.e. consecutive prime numbers
1 6 15 28 45 66 91
55 60 67 78 91 108 127
+5 +9 +13 +17 +21 +25
+5 +7 +11 +13 +17 +19
Therefore, Missing term  15 + 13  28.
4. (b) The sequence follows the pattern: Therefore, Missing number  108 + 19  127.
+5, +10, +15, +20, . . . 11. (b) The given sequence of number follows the pattern:
31 + 1, 32 – 1, 33 + 1, 34 – 1, 35 + 1, 36 – 1
i.e. 6 11 21 36 56 81
1 8 28 80 244 728
+5 +10 +15 +20 +25 ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
1 2 3 4 5 6
3 +1 3 +1 3 +1 3 +1 3 +1 3 +1
Therefore, Missing term  56 + 25  81.
Therefore, Missing term  36 – 1  728.
5. (d) The given sequence follows the pattern: 12. (b) The given sequence of number follows the pattern:
+2, +6, +6, +10, +10, . . . –13; + 23 ; – 33; + 43; – 53; + 63
i.e. 0 2 8 14 24 34 112 111 119 92 156 31 247
+2 +6 +6 +10 +10 – 13 + 23 – 33 + 43 – 53 + 63

Therefore, Missing term  14 + 10  24. Therefore, Missing number  31 + 63  247.

13. (b) The given sequence of number follows the pattern:
6. (d) The given sequence follows the pattern:
1 4 27 256 3125 46656 823543
+0.05, +0.10, +0.15, +0.20.
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
i.e. 0.5 0.5 0.65 0.8 1
31 22 33 44 55 66 77
7
+0.05 +0.10 +0.15 +0.20 Therefore, Missing term  7  823543.
Therefore, Missing term 14. (d) The given sequence of number follows the pattern:
 0.8 + 0.20  1 + 72, + + 62, + 52, + 42