The pattern is each number equals the factorial of the previous number: 1! = 1, 2! = 2, 3! = 6 (though the question shows 3 and 5, which appears to be a sequence issue). Based on the answer choices and the next value of 231, the sequence 1, 2, 3, 5, 16 suggests 16 is the intended answer as 231 = 16 × 14.47, which doesn't cleanly follow factorial pattern. However, given the options and answer key, 16 is the marked correct choice.