In the number series 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, the next term is _______. – UGC NET Question

The series consists of consecutive even numbers increasing by 2 each time. We move from 2 to 4, 4 to 6, 6 to 8 and 8 to 10, always adding 2. Adding 2 to 10 gives 12. Therefore, 12 is the correct next term in the sequence.

Option A:
Option A is 11, which is odd and does not fit a series of even numbers. It also breaks the uniform difference of 2. Hence, this option is not appropriate.

Option B:
Option B is 14, which is even but is 4 more than 10. That would skip 12 and change the fixed increment of 2. Thus, it cannot be the immediate next term.

Option C:
Option C equals 12 and maintains both the even nature and the step size of 2. The extended series 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 remains a clean list of consecutive even integers. This makes 12 the correct answer.

Option D:
Option D is 16, which is 6 more than 10 and leaves out 12 and 14. That jump is inconsistent with the pattern of adding 2, so 16 cannot be chosen here.