To solve this question, we need to identify the pattern or rule that governs the given sequence: ?, 19, 23, 29, 31.
Looking at the sequence, we can observe that each number is a prime number (a number that is only divisible by 1 and itself).
The missing number (?) must also be a prime number, and we can determine it by analyzing the given options.
Option A) 12 - 12 is not a prime number because it is divisible by 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12.
Option B) 15 - 15 is not a prime number because it is divisible by 3 and 5.
Option C) 16 - 16 is not a prime number because it is divisible by 2, 4, 8, and 16.
Option D) 17 - 17 is a prime number because it is only divisible by 1 and 17.
Since the missing number (?) must be a prime number, the correct answer is D) 17.