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Lesson eLearning

Find the next number in the pattern 1, 3, 7, 15, 31, ___?

hard 3 marks Class 4 · Mathematics · Play with Patterns

Answer

63

The correct answer is 63 — Step 4: Add this to the last term: $31 + 32 = 63$ .

Step-by-step solution

Step 1: Calculate successive differences: $3 - 1 = 2,; 7 - 3 = 4,; 15 - 7 = 8,; 31 - 15 = 16$ .
Step 2: Notice the differences double each time: $2, 4, 8, 16$ .
Step 3: The next difference should be $16 \times 2 = 32$ .
Step 4: Add this to the last term: $31 + 32 = 63$ .

Common mistake: Assuming a constant difference instead of doubling

Concept tested: Doubling difference pattern

Published 16 October 2026 · How this solution was prepared and checked

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