Complete the Series 1, 4, 2, 8, 6, 24, 22, 88, ?

Concept: In an alternating-operation number series, two different operations are applied in a fixed repeating cycle to consecutive terms, rather than one single operation throughout. To decode it, test consecutive term-pairs for the operations involved, confirm the alternation holds across every given pair, then extend the cycle to find the missing term.

Application:

1. 1 × 4 = 4

2. 4 − 2 = 2

3. 2 × 4 = 8

4. 8 − 2 = 6

5. 6 × 4 = 24

6. 24 − 2 = 22

7. 22 × 4 = 88

8. 88 − 2 = 86

Cross-check: All seven transitions given in the series match this ×4, −2 alternating pattern exactly, so applying the eighth operation (−2) to 88 gives 86.