IBEW Aptitude Test Number Sequences and Patterns Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Find the pattern and the next two numbers: 2, 4, 8, 14, 22, ___

30, 38
32, 44 (Correct answer)
30, 42
28, 38

Correct answer: 32, 44

Differences: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12... Next: 22+10=32, 32+12=44.

Differences: 4-2=2, 8-4=4, 14-8=6, 22-14=8. Pattern of differences: 2, 4, 6, 8 (increasing by 2). Next differences: 10 and 12. 22+10=32, 32+12=44. This second-order sequence pattern requires analyzing differences of differences.

Question 2: What is the rule for the sequence: 1, 3, 9, 27, 81?

Add 2 each time
Multiply by 2 each time
Multiply by 3 each time (Correct answer)
Add consecutive even numbers

Correct answer: Multiply by 3 each time

Each term is 3 times the previous: 1×3=3, 3×3=9, 9×3=27, 27×3=81.

Ratios: 3/1=3, 9/3=3, 27/9=3, 81/27=3. Constant ratio of 3 means this is a geometric sequence with common ratio r=3. Powers of 3: 3⁰=1, 3¹=3, 3²=9, 3³=27, 3⁴=81. Recognizing geometric sequences by their constant ratio is a key pattern recognition skill.

Question 3: Complete the pattern: A1, B2, C3, D4, ___

D5
E4
E5 (Correct answer)
F5

Correct answer: E5

Letters advance alphabetically (A, B, C, D, E) and numbers increase by 1 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Next: E5.

Two simultaneous patterns: letters A→B→C→D→E (alphabetical), numbers 1→2→3→4→5 (counting). Next term: E5. Alphanumeric sequences test the ability to track multiple independent patterns simultaneously, a skill tested on the IBEW aptitude exam.

Question 4: Find the missing term: 5, 10, ___, 40, 80, 160

15
20 (Correct answer)
25
30

Correct answer: 20

Each term doubles: 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160. The missing term is 20.

Geometric sequence with r=2: 5×2=10, 10×2=20, 20×2=40, 40×2=80, 80×2=160. The missing term is 20. Finding a missing interior term in a geometric sequence confirms the constant ratio rule extends through the gap.

Question 5: What is the next letter: B, D, F, H, ___?

I
J (Correct answer)
K
L

Correct answer: J

These are every other letter of the alphabet, skipping odd positions: B(2), D(4), F(6), H(8), J(10).

Alphabet positions: B=2, D=4, F=6, H=8, J=10. Each letter is 2 positions after the previous (even letters only). Next: J (position 10). Alphabetic sequences test pattern recognition beyond just numbers — a common element of verbal/abstract reasoning sections.

Question 6: Find the rule: 100, 50, 25, 12.5, ___

5
6
6.25 (Correct answer)
7.5

Correct answer: 6.25

Each term is halved (÷2): 100/2=50, 50/2=25, 25/2=12.5, 12.5/2=6.25.

Ratios: 50/100=0.5, 25/50=0.5, 12.5/25=0.5. Geometric sequence with r=1/2 (halving). 12.5/2=6.25. Halving sequences represent exponential decay, relevant to charging/discharging capacitors and radioactive decay in measurement applications.

IBEW Aptitude Test Number Sequences and Patterns Questions and Answers 2

Find the pattern and the next two numbers: 2, 4, 8, 14, 22, ___