Read the pattern of letters, numbers/terms, and find the missing term from the…
2014
Read the pattern of letters, numbers/terms, and find the missing term from the given alternatives.
266, 339, 528, ?
Answer: A. 630 — ConceptAn invariant is a quantity that remains unchanged across all terms generated by a rule. For a three-digit number with digits a, b, and c, a candidate…
- A.
630
- B.
730
- C.
830
- D.
930
Attempted by 26 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Concept
An invariant is a quantity that remains unchanged across all terms generated by a rule.
For a three-digit number with digits a, b, and c, a candidate rule may combine those digits; a missing term must preserve the same invariant value as every given term.
Application
Let a be the hundreds digit, b the tens digit, and c the units digit. Test the rule a × b + c.
For 266, 2 × 6 + 6 = 18.
For 339, 3 × 3 + 9 = 18.
For 528, 5 × 2 + 8 = 18. Thus the invariant value is 18.
Cross-check
Apply the same rule independently to every offered value:
Value | Calculation | Computed value |
|---|---|---|
630 | 6 × 3 + 0 | 18 |
730 | 7 × 3 + 0 | 21 |
830 | 8 × 3 + 0 | 24 |
930 | 9 × 3 + 0 | 27 |
Only 630 gives the invariant value 18, so the missing term is 630.