UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Each term is obtained by multiplying the previous term by 2: 5×2 = 10, 10×2 = 20 and 20×2 = 40. This defines a geometric progression with ratio 2. Applying the same rule gives 40×2 = 80. Thus, 80 is the correct next term that preserves the doubling pattern.

Option A:
Option A is 60, which would represent adding 20 to 40 rather than doubling. No earlier transition uses simple addition of a fixed number, so 60 does not fit the rule.

Option B:
Option B is 70, which involves adding 30 to 40 and lacks any basis in the preceding behaviour of the sequence. It fails to keep the constant ratio property. Hence, it is incorrect.

Option C:
Option C equals 80 and results directly from 40×2. The extended series 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 shows a clean geometric pattern. This makes 80 the unique choice that follows the same logic.

Option D:
Option D is 100, which would require a factor of 2.5 from 40. As the sequence has consistently used a ratio of 2, introducing 2.5 is unjustified. Therefore, this option is not valid.

Each term is half of the previous one: 160÷2 = 80, 80÷2 = 40 and 40÷2 = 20. This shows a geometric progression with ratio 1/2. Halving the last term 20 gives 10. Therefore, 10 is the correct next term in the series.

Option A:
Option A is 5, which is half of 10 rather than half of 20. Using 5 directly after 20 would require dividing by 4, not by 2, and thus break the consistent ratio. Hence, 5 is not suitable.

Option B:
Option B is 12, which does not correspond to 20 divided by 2 and would introduce an inconsistent operation. There is no earlier hint of subtracting or adjusting by 8. Therefore, 12 cannot be correct.

Option C:
Option C is 15, which lies between 10 and 20 and does not represent half of the previous term. Choosing 15 would leave the ratio undefined and unclear. Thus, it does not follow the pattern.

Option D:
Option D equals 10, obtained by 20÷2 and preserving the halving process. The extended series 160, 80, 40, 20, 10 keeps the same geometric structure with ratio 1/2. This confirms that 10 is the right continuation.

Each term is three times the previous one: 2×3 = 6, 6×3 = 18 and 18×3 = 54. This defines a geometric progression with common ratio 3. Multiplying the last term 54 by 3 gives 162. Thus, 162 is the next term that keeps the series consistent.

Option A:
Option A suggests 72, which is only 18 more than 54 and does not fit the multiplication-by-three rule. None of the earlier transitions involve adding a fixed number like 18. Therefore, 72 is not appropriate.

Option B:
Option B is 90, which represents 54 plus 36 and again breaks the pure multiplication pattern. The series has never used addition rules, so introducing such a change would be unjustified. Hence, 90 is incorrect.

Option C:
Option C equals 162 and results directly from 54×3, preserving the ratio of 3 between consecutive terms. The extended series 2, 6, 18, 54, 162 shows a clear and consistent geometric pattern. This makes 162 the valid next term.

Option D:
Option D is 180, which does not arise from multiplying 54 by a whole number used earlier in the sequence. Choosing 180 would produce a ratio of 10/3 with the previous term, not 3. Thus, this option does not respect the established rule.

The series is a geometric progression with common ratio 3. Each term is obtained by multiplying the previous term by 3: 2 × 3 = 6, 6 × 3 = 18, 18 × 3 = 54 and 54 × 3 = 162. To continue this pattern, we multiply 162 by 3 to get 162 × 3 = 486. This maintains the constant ratio throughout the sequence.

Option A:
Option A gives 432, which would correspond to multiplying 162 by a factor less than 3 and does not follow the geometric rule. This breaks the constant ratio pattern. Hence, 432 is not correct.

Option B:
Option B offers 450, which is not 162 multiplied by any simple integer ratio used earlier in the series and appears arbitrary. Therefore, 450 cannot be accepted as consistent with the pattern.

Option C:
Option C suggests 480, which again is not equal to 162 × 3 and would require changing the ratio at the end of the series. This disrupts the geometric progression. Thus, 480 is not appropriate.

Option D:
Option D yields 486, which is exactly 162 × 3 and preserves the common ratio of 3. The expanded sequence 2, 6, 18, 54, 162, 486 is a clean geometric progression. Hence, 486 is the correct next term.

Each term in the series is obtained by multiplying the previous term by 2, giving a constant ratio of 2. We have 3×2 = 6, 6×2 = 12 and 12×2 = 24, which confirms the rule. Applying the same operation to the last term gives 24×2 = 48. Thus, 48 is the only term that continues the geometric pattern correctly.

Option A:
Option A suggests 30, which would correspond to adding 6 rather than multiplying by 2. This change in operation does not match any of the earlier transitions in the series. Therefore, 30 does not fit the rule of constant multiplication.

Option B:
Option B maintains the ratio of 2 because 48 ÷ 24 = 2, just as 24 ÷ 12 and 12 ÷ 6 equal 2. The extended sequence 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 clearly follows a doubling rule. This makes 48 the unique correct choice under standard number-series logic.

Option C:
Option C gives 36, corresponding to a factor of 1.5 from 24, which has not appeared anywhere in the series. Introducing this new ratio would destroy the simplicity and consistency of the pattern. Hence, 36 cannot be considered correct.

Option D:
Option D offers 54, which would require multiplying 24 by 2.25. Since none of the previous steps uses such a factor and all use an exact doubling, this option contradicts the established rule. Therefore, it is not the right answer.