Final answer:
The next step in this pattern would be found by observing the difference between the consecutive terms and adding that difference to the last term. In this case, the next term would be 188.
Step-by-step explanation:
The next step in this pattern can be found by observing the difference between the consecutive terms. In this case, the differences are 12, 20, 28, 36, and so on. Notice that each difference increases by 8. Therefore, to find the next term, we add 8 to the previous difference of 36. So, the next difference would be 36 + 8 = 44. Adding this difference to the last term in the pattern, 144, gives us the next term: 144 + 44 = 188. Therefore, the next term in the pattern would be 188.