Choose the correct alternative from the given ones that will complete the series. 7, 12, 20, 31, 45, …..

The pattern follows adding consecutive integers with increasing increments: 7+5=12, 12+8=20, 20+11=31, 31+14=45. The increments increase by 3 each time: 5, 8, 11, 14. Following this pattern, the next increment is 17, so 45+17=62. However, checking the differences differently: 12-7=5, 20-12=8, 31-20=11, 45-31=14. These differences form an AP with common difference 3. Next difference would be 17, giving 45+17=62. None of the options match this. Let me reconsider: perhaps it's +5, +8, +11, +14, +16? That gives 61. Still no match. The pattern might be different. Actually, looking at it as n+5, n+8, n+11, n+14, n+13 seems inconsistent. Given the options, 58 is closest to a possible pattern continuation.