Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles

Guess the next number in the series: 2, 3, 5, 11, 31

  1. 127

  2. 156

  3. 159

  4. 157
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A Correct answer
Explanation

The pattern is: previous term × (position+1) - 1. 2×2-1=3, 3×3-4=5, 5×4-9=11, 11×5-16=39 (not 31). Alternative: 2=2, 3=2+1, 5=2+3, 11=2+3+6, 31=2+3+6+20. Pattern: multiply previous by n, then subtract: 2×2-1=3, 3×2-1=5, 5×2+1=11, 11×3-2=31, 31×4+3=127.

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