In the number series 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, the next term is _______. – UGC NET Question

This series follows the Fibonacci rule, where each term is the sum of the two preceding terms. We see 1+1 = 2, 1+2 = 3, 2+3 = 5 and 3+5 = 8, which confirms the pattern. Continuing this, the next term should be 5+8 = 13. So 13 is the correct next term in the sequence.

Option A:
Option A suggests 9, which would come from adding only 1 to the previous term 8 and does not use the sum of the last two terms. This ignores the clear recursive rule that defines the series. Therefore, 9 is not correct.

Option B:
Option B is 10, which again does not arise from adding any two consecutive terms in the series. There is no pair among the last two terms that sums to 10. Hence, it breaks the Fibonacci structure.

Option C:
Option C gives 11, which would require a different rule, such as adding 3 to 8, that has not appeared earlier. Since the series has consistently used sums of the two preceding numbers, 11 cannot fit the pattern.

Option D:
Option D equals 13, which is exactly 5+8 and respects the recursive rule used throughout. Extending the series to 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13 maintains the Fibonacci property. Thus, this option correctly represents the next term.