Step 1: Understand the puzzle. This is a number pattern shown in a grid. We must find the value that fits in place of the question mark.
Step 2: How to read grids. In such grids we look for a steady rule across each row and down each column, like a fixed sum or a fixed difference.
Step 3: Try the column sums. Adding the known columns gives the same total. For example one column gives \[ 7+2+4+5 = 18 \] and the next also gives \[ 8+3+1+6 = 18 \] so each column should add up the same way.
Step 4: Apply the rule to the last column. The third column must follow the same balanced pattern as the first two columns.
Step 5: Find the missing value. Keeping the pattern even and consistent across the rows, the value that fits the blank is 2.
Step 6: Conclusion. So the number in place of the question mark is \[ \boxed{2} \]
