In the number series 4, 10, 22, 46, 94, the next term is _______. – UGC NET Question

Each term after the first is obtained by doubling the previous term and then adding 2. We have 4 × 2 + 2 = 10, 10 × 2 + 2 = 22, 22 × 2 + 2 = 46 and 46 × 2 + 2 = 94. Applying the same rule to 94 gives 94 × 2 + 2 = 188 + 2 = 190. This maintains a clear and consistent multiplicative pattern.

Option A:
Option A gives 188, which is simply 94 × 2 and omits the constant addition of 2 that appears at every step. This makes the pattern incomplete and inconsistent. Therefore, 188 is not the correct answer.

Option B:
Option B yields 190, produced by the operation 94 × 2 + 2, exactly as required by the recursive rule. The extended sequence 4, 10, 22, 46, 94, 190 follows the same transformation from term to term. Hence, 190 is the correct continuation of the series.

Option C:
Option C suggests 192, which would require adding 4 after doubling, changing the constant added at the end of the operation. Since all previous steps add 2, this variation is unjustified. Thus, 192 is not appropriate.

Option D:
Option D presents 196, which would involve adding 8 after doubling or some other arbitrary change, again not supported by the original rule. This disrupts the series structure. Therefore, 196 cannot be considered correct.