Arithmetic Reasoning
What number comes next in the pattern?
8, -2, 3, -7, -2, _____
Patterns and sequences is one of the 15 subtopics that I cover in my ASVAB prep course when I review Arithmetic Reasoning. This is a topic I review in my book, The ASVAB Tutor’s Arithmetic Reasoning Study Guide. Some of my ASVAB students are intimidated by patterns and sequences when the pattern involves both positive and negative numbers. This pattern involves numbers that are increasing and decreasing. The numbers included are positive and negative. I remind my students to look at the pattern to determine what number comes next.
8, -2, 3, -7, -2, ____
The pattern is decrease, increase, decrease, increase.
The next number would be a decrease.
Knowing this is enough to know that the answer will be less than -2.
Just knowing this can help to eliminate some choices.
Paying closer attention to the amount of the increase and decrease from one number to the next
will help to find the correct answer. Do you know the answer? I will present the answer and explanation tomorrow?
