Number Sequence Practice Test and Tips

Master Number Series questions for the Philippine Civil Service Exam! This guide gives essential tips and strategies to conquer these sequences efficiently. Get ready to ace your exam.Here’s some tips on how to solve Number Series questions for the Philippine Civil Service Exam. Understanding these patterns will help you tackle similar questions effectively

🤔What Is a Number Series or Sequence?

A number series consists of numbers that follow a particular pattern. Each number in a sequence is called a term. For example, consider the sequence: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, … These numbers follow the pattern of counting by 2s.

A sequence is an ordered list of numbers. Each number in a sequence is called a term. Imagine these lists:

1. 3, 5, 7, …: Here, we add 2 to each term to get the next one.
2. 21, 16, 11, …: In this sequence, we subtract 5 from each term to find the next.

The three dots at the end indicate that the sequence can be extended, even though we only see a few terms. We can predict the next terms by following the pattern.

🔢Arithmetic Sequences

An arithmetic sequence is a type of sequence where the difference between consecutive terms is always the same. For example:

• 3, 5, 7, 9, …: The difference between consecutive terms is always 2.
• 21, 16, 11, 6, …: Here, the difference is always -5.

👌Common Number Series Patterns

Here are some typical number series patterns you’ll encounter in exams:

1. Arithmetic Sequence: Numbers increase or decrease by a fixed amount. Example: 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, …
2. Geometric Sequence: Numbers multiply or divide by a fixed factor. Example: 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, …
3. Recursive Sequence: Each term depends on the previous terms. Example: 1, 3, 4, 7, 11, 18, 29, …
4. Alternating Sequence: Terms alternate between addition and subtraction. Example: 3, 5, 15, 17, 51, …
5. Perfect Square Number Pattern: Terms are perfect squares. Example: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, …
6. Perfect Cube Number Pattern: Terms are perfect cubes. Example: 1, 8, 27, 64, …
7. Triangular Numbers Pattern: Terms are triangular numbers. Example: 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, …
8. Prime Number Pattern: Terms are prime numbers. Example: 17, 19, 23, 29, …
9. Increasing Difference Pattern: The difference between consecutive terms increases. Example: 5, 7, 10, 14, 19, …
10. Decreasing Difference Pattern: The difference between consecutive terms decreases. Example: 72, 70, 67, 63, 58, …

🛹Tips for Solving Number Series Questions

1. Identify the Pattern: Analyze the given numbers to uncover the underlying rule or operation. Look for consistent changes between terms. Is it addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division? Understanding the pattern is crucial.
2. Check for Arithmetic Series:
   • In an arithmetic series, each term either increases or decreases by the same amount.
   • Example: 7, 11, 15, 19, 23, 27, 31, 35, 39…
   • Always verify if the series follows a constant factor before exploring other possibilities.
3. Explore Dynamic Arithmetic Series:
   • In a dynamic arithmetic series, the factor changes with each term.
   • For instance, you might add one to the first number, then two to the second, and so on.
   • Alternatively, different rules may apply to odd and even terms.
   • Example: 1, 2, 4, 7, 11, 16, 22, 29, 37, 46…
4. Look for Geometric Series:
   • Unlike arithmetic series, geometric series involve multiplication or division.
   • Example: 2, 6, 18, 54, 162…
   • Another example: 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25…
5. Complex Series:
   • Some series combine multiple rules. These are called complex series.
   • They might use both arithmetic and geometric principles.
   • Pay attention to seemingly random intervals with continuous increases.
   • Example: 3, 9, 8, 7, 13, 5, 18, 3, 23, 1, 28, -1…

Remember, practice makes perfect! Try solving various number series examples to reinforce your skills