What is the next number in the series: 27, 37, 49, 63, 79, _?

To determine the next number in the series 27, 37, 49, 63, 79, we can analyze the pattern in the differences between consecutive terms.

Starting with the first two terms:

• The difference between 37 and 27 is 10.

• The difference between 49 and 37 is 12.

• The difference between 63 and 49 is 14.

• The difference between 79 and 63 is 16.

We observe that the differences increase by 2 each time: 10, 12, 14, and 16. Following this pattern, the next difference should be 18, as it would continue the trend of increasing by 2.

By adding 18 to the last number in the series (79), we find:

79 + 18 = 97.

Thus, the next number in the series is 97. This systematic approach to identifying the pattern in the differences confirms why this specific number is the correct answer.