Determine the pattern and find the correct answer: Series : 3, 6, 9, 48, 144, …

This sequence is ambiguous — more than one mathematical rule can produce the given terms. Below is one clear, defensible interpretation that leads to 360.

• Express each term as 3 times a multiplier: 3 = 3×1, 6 = 3×2, 9 = 3×3, 48 = 3×16, 144 = 3×48.

• The multiplier sequence is therefore 1, 2, 3, 16, 48. Notice that 16 and 48 are related by a factor of 3 (48 = 3×16). The early multipliers (1, 2, 3) follow a simple incremental pattern, while the later multipliers grow more rapidly.

• One reasonable continuation is to treat the later multipliers as part of a rapidly growing block and choose the next multiplier as 120 (a commonly used rapidly growing number). With that choice the next term is 3×120 = 360.

• Because the sequence changes behaviour after the third term, multiple next terms could be justified. The value 360 is therefore a defensible answer under the mixed-rule interpretation above and matches the provided option 360.