Identify the wrong number in the series: 7, 8, 18, 57, 228, 1165, 6996

This is a 'find the wrong number' series question built on a growing multiplier-plus-constant rule: each term is generated from the one before it by multiplying by a step number n and then adding that same n, where n increases by 1 at every step (term = previous term × n + n). Verifying such a series means recomputing every term from this rule and checking which one deviates.

1. 7 × 1 + 1 = 8 — matches the given second term (8).

2. 8 × 2 + 2 = 18 — matches the given third term (18).

3. 18 × 3 + 3 = 57 — matches the given fourth term (57).

4. 57 × 4 + 4 = 232 — the series shows 228 here, which does not match.

5. 232 × 5 + 5 = 1165 — matches the given sixth term (1165), confirming 232 (not 228) is the correct value.

6. 1165 × 6 + 6 = 6996 — matches the given seventh term (6996).

Every term after the suspected error recomputes correctly only when 232 is used in place of 228, and no other term in the series needs any correction. This confirms 228 is the single wrong number in the series.