Find wrong number in series: 2, 3, 6, 0, 8, -3, 14, -6

Concept: In an alternating (interleaved) number series, the terms actually form two independent sub-series - one running through the odd positions and one through the even positions. Each sub-series follows its own arithmetic rule independently of the other, so to spot the wrong term you split the series into the two sub-series and test each one's pattern separately.

Application:

1. Split the series 2, 3, 6, 0, 8, -3, 14, -6 into two sub-series by position.

2. Odd positions (1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th terms): 2, 6, 8, 14.

3. Even positions (2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th terms): 3, 0, -3, -6.

4. Even sub-series check: 3 - 3 = 0, then 0 - 3 = -3, then -3 - 3 = -6 - a constant step of -3 throughout, so this sub-series is fully consistent.

5. Odd sub-series check: 2 + 4 = 6 (a step of +4), but the next term should then be 6 + 4 = 10, not 8 - the step breaks here.

6. Since the odd sub-series follows a constant +4 step (established by 2 to 6), the correct third odd term should be 10, not 8 - so 8 is the term that breaks the pattern.

Cross-check: Replacing 8 with 10 gives the series 2, 3, 6, 0, 10, -3, 14, -6. Odd terms: 2, 6, 10, 14 (constant +4 step); Even terms: 3, 0, -3, -6 (constant -3 step). Both sub-series are now fully consistent, confirming that 8 is indeed the wrong number in the given series.