14 : 9 :: 26 : ?

Concept: In this number analogy, each pair follows the rule that the second number equals half of the first number, plus two (second = first ÷ 2 + 2).

1. Check the given pair 14 : 9 — half of 14 is 7, and 7 + 2 = 9, which confirms the rule.

2. Apply the same rule to 26 — half of 26 is 13, and 13 + 2 = 15.

Cross-check: this mirrors the same halving-and-adding-two pattern as the original pair, confirming the result independently.

So the missing number is 15.