Question

What number should replace the question mark? The numbers are arranged in a five-row pattern (numbers in each row, left to right):
Row 1 (3 numbers): 4, 3, 2
Row 2 (5 numbers): 5, 3, 5, 1, 1
Row 3 (7 numbers): 6, 1, 2, 8, 3, 3, 1
Row 4 (5 numbers): 7, 2, 8, 4, 3
Row 5 (3 numbers): 9, ?, 3

• A. 1
• B. 4
• C. 12
• D. 6

Hint:

In every row, the middle number equals half the sum of all the other numbers in that row.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

A quick way to double check a number-pattern rule is to restate it as “the middle number times 2 equals the sum of the rest”, and verify it against every row before trusting it on the row with the missing value.

1. Row 1: middle $\times 2 = 3 \times 2 = 6$; sum of the rest $= 4 + 2 = 6$. Matches.
2. Row 2: middle $\times 2 = 5 \times 2 = 10$; sum of the rest $= 5+3+1+1 = 10$. Matches.
3. Row 3: middle $\times 2 = 8 \times 2 = 16$; sum of the rest $= 6+1+2+3+3+1 = 16$. Matches.
4. Row 4: middle $\times 2 = 8 \times 2 = 16$; sum of the rest $= 7+2+4+3 = 16$. Matches.

The rule holds cleanly across every row of different lengths, so it can be trusted for row 5: sum of the rest $= 9 + 3 = 12$, so the middle number is $12 \div 2 = 6$.

So the correct answer is option D, 6.