What comes next in the sequence 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ?

What comes next in the sequence 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ?

• A. 72
• B. 60
• C. 42
• D. 48

Answer: (C)

The sequence comes from multiplying consecutive integers: 1×2, 2×3, 3×4, 4×5, 5×6. Following that pattern, the next product is 6×7 = 42. You can also see this in the differences: 4, 6, 8, 10 and then 12 would be added, giving 30 + 12 = 42. So the next number is 42.

The sequence comes from multiplying consecutive integers: 1×2, 2×3, 3×4, 4×5, 5×6. Following that pattern, the next product is 6×7 = 42. You can also see this in the differences: 4, 6, 8, 10 and then 12 would be added, giving 30 + 12 = 42. So the next number is 42.