What is the next term in the sequence 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ...?

What is the next term in the sequence 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ...?

• A. 41
• B. 36
• C. 30
• D. 39

Answer: (B)

These terms are consecutive square numbers: 1^2, 2^2, 3^2, 4^2, 5^2. Following that pattern, the next square is 6^2, which equals 36. The other options aren’t perfect squares, so they don’t fit the pattern.

These terms are consecutive square numbers: 1^2, 2^2, 3^2, 4^2, 5^2. Following that pattern, the next square is 6^2, which equals 36. The other options aren’t perfect squares, so they don’t fit the pattern.