The sequence follows the pattern n² - 1 where n starts from 2: 2²-1=3, 3²-1=8, 4²-1=15, 5²-1=24, 6²-1=35, 7²-1=48, 8²-1=63. The number 34 is incorrect because 6²-1 should be 35, not 34. This breaks the mathematical pattern that all other numbers follow perfectly.