In a column, the next number is determined by the same rule as the previous numbers. If the current number is 9 and the rule is multiply by 3, what is the next number?

In a column, the next number is determined by the same rule as the previous numbers. If the current number is 9 and the rule is multiply by 3, what is the next number?

• A. 12
• B. 18
• C. 27
• D. 36

Answer: (C)

When a sequence follows one rule from one term to the next, you apply that rule to the current number. Here the rule is multiply by 3. From 9, multiplying by 3 gives 27, so the next number is 27. The other possibilities would come from different operations (for example, 12 would come from adding 3, 18 from multiplying by 2, and 36 from multiplying by 4), which do not match the given rule.

When a sequence follows one rule from one term to the next, you apply that rule to the current number. Here the rule is multiply by 3. From 9, multiplying by 3 gives 27, so the next number is 27. The other possibilities would come from different operations (for example, 12 would come from adding 3, 18 from multiplying by 2, and 36 from multiplying by 4), which do not match the given rule.