Number Series, Coding, Odd Man OutMTP Dec 22 Series IIQuestion 2066 of 217
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Find the missing term of the following series 3,7,15,?,63,127\displaystyle 3, 7, 15, ?, 63, 127

Options

A30\displaystyle 30
B31\displaystyle 31
C47\displaystyle 47
D52\displaystyle 52
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Correct Answer

✅ Option b — 31\displaystyle 31

All Options:

  • A30\displaystyle 30
  • B31\displaystyle 31
  • C47\displaystyle 47
  • D52\displaystyle 52

Detailed Solution & Explanation

To find the missing term of the series 3,7,15,?,63,127\displaystyle 3, 7, 15, ?, 63, 127, we can use two different mathematical methods:

**Method 1: Multiplying by 2 and adding 1**
Let us analyze the relationship between consecutive terms:
- 1st to 2nd term: 3×2+1=7\displaystyle 3 \times 2 + 1 = 7
- 2nd to 3rd term: 7×2+1=15\displaystyle 7 \times 2 + 1 = 15
- 3rd to 4th term (missing term): 15×2+1=31\displaystyle 15 \times 2 + 1 = 31
- 4th to 5th term: 31×2+1=63\displaystyle 31 \times 2 + 1 = 63
- 5th to 6th term: 63×2+1=127\displaystyle 63 \times 2 + 1 = 127

**Method 2: Powers of 2 minus 1**
We can express each term as Tn=2n+1−1\displaystyle T_n = 2^{n+1} - 1:
- T1=22−1=3\displaystyle T_1 = 2^2 - 1 = 3
- T2=23−1=7\displaystyle T_2 = 2^3 - 1 = 7
- T3=24−1=15\displaystyle T_3 = 2^4 - 1 = 15
- T4=25−1=31\displaystyle T_4 = 2^5 - 1 = 31 (missing term)
- T5=26−1=63\displaystyle T_5 = 2^6 - 1 = 63
- T6=27−1=127\displaystyle T_6 = 2^7 - 1 = 127

Both methods consistently and mathematically prove that the missing term is **31\displaystyle 31**, which corresponds to **Option B**.

*Note on Answer Key Discrepancy:* The textbook/exam answer key lists **Option A** (30\displaystyle 30) as the correct answer. However, 30\displaystyle 30 violates both mathematical progressions of the sequence, whereas 31\displaystyle 31 is logically and mathematically perfect. This is a clear typographical error in the official answer key, and the correct option is **Option B**.

Hence, **Option B** is the correct answer.

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