Question

Which math operation determines the following pattern?
1,4, 16, 64, ..?

Answer 1

Multiplication, as you are multiplying each term by 4:

1*4 =4

4*4 = 16

16*4 = 64

Then, you can calculate the next term: 64*4= 256

Answer 2

The given pattern can be obtained by a 'multiplication' operation.

Thus, option (C) is correct.

Explanation:

Given the pattern

1, 4, 16, 64, ..

From the given pattern, it is clear that every next term can be obtained by multiplying the previous term by 4.

For example, the 2nd term 4 can be obtained by multiplying the previous term by 4.

• i.e. 1×4 = 4

Similarly, the 3rd term 16 can be obtained by multiplying the previous term (2nd term) by 4.

• i.e. 4×4 = 16

Also, the 4th term 64 can be obtained by multiplying the previous term (3rd term) by 4.

• i.e. 16×4 = 64

In a nutshell, the next term (5th term) can be obtained by multiplying the previous term (4th term) by 4.

• i.e. 64×4=256

This indicates that the following pattern can be obtained by a 'multiplication' operation.

Thus, option (C) is correct.