??
What number comes next in this sequence:
986888
724864
143224
==??==
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
workings hint hide answer print
Answer
468.
Reasoning
If we split each line in the following way:
98 68 88
72 48 64
14 32 24
Each new line is generated by multiplying the digits two at a time and writing the result below.
For example, 9 x 8 = 72, so 72 appears directly below 98.
And 7 x 2 = 14, so 14 appears directly below 72.
Double-Checking
9 x 8 = 72, 7 x 2 = 14, 1 x 4 = 4.
6 x 8 = 48, 4 x 8 = 32, 3 x 2 = 6.
8 x 8 = 64, 6 x 4 = 24, 2 x 4 = 8.