To solve this question, let's analyze the given sequence of numbers:
16, 33, 65, 131, 261, ?
Looking at the pattern in the sequence, we can see that each number is obtained by multiplying the previous number by 2 and then subtracting 1.
16 * 2 - 1 = 31
33 * 2 - 1 = 65
65 * 2 - 1 = 131
131 * 2 - 1 = 261
Therefore, the next number in the sequence would be:
261 * 2 - 1 = 521
The correct answer is option A) 523.