What is the next number in the pattern: 1, -2, 5, 2, 9, 6, 13, …?

Question

anonymous · Answer

10

tkhunny · Answer

-2

34

$\sqrt{2}$

Take your pick.  Any of them can be next.

anonymous · Answer

10

tkhunny · Answer

18

$-\pi$

3.78

Take your pick.  Any of them can be the next value.

anonymous · Answer

The pattern is +4.

anonymous · Answer

the pattern is not +4

anonymous · Answer

Hmmm... Im learning this in school right now... but i may be wrong.

tkhunny · Answer

"A" pattern is "-3 followed by +7".

A common way to proceed is call a "Difference".  Just subtract each successive pair.

 1, -2, 5, 2, 9, 6, 13, 

-2 - 1 = -3
5 - (-2) = +7
2 - 5 = -3
9 - 2 = +7
6 - 9 = -3
13-6 = +7

It is reasonable to assume the next will be another -3, giving 10.  But, this is only one of infinitely many possible solutions to this question.

anonymous · Answer

Oh, because this is what I was thinking...

|dw:1367117463919:dw|

tkhunny · Answer

That's fine.  Every other one is a +4.

anonymous · Answer

i understand later

anonymous · Answer

36

anonymous · Answer

Thank you for all the help guys :)

anonymous · Answer

No problem