What comes next in the series? 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 16, 12, 32, _________

Correct option is A

Let's analyze the given number series:

2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 16, 12, 32, _______

Step 1: Identifying Patterns

Observing the position of the numbers:

• 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 → These are powers of 2:

• 21 =2

• 22=4

• 23 =8

• 24=16

• 25=32

• 3, 6, 9, 12, ? → This follows a pattern of multiples of 3:

• 3

• 6

• 9

• 12

• 15 (next multiple of 3)

Step 2: Finding the Next Number

Since the alternating pattern is:

• Powers of 2: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, (next = 64)

• Multiples of 3: 3, 6, 9, 12, (next = 15)

Thus, the missing number is 15.