Number Series Questions for SSC MTS Exam: Download Free PDF

If you are a student preparing for the SSC MTS (Multi-Tasking Staff) exam, you already know that the Reasoning section is your best friend. It is the easiest way to score high marks and qualify for the next round. Inside Reasoning, “Number Series” is one of the most important topics. You can expect around 2 to 3 questions from this single topic. Many students get confused when they see a list of random numbers. They think there is some high-level math involved. But let me tell you a secret: Number series is like a game or a puzzle. Once you find the hidden “pattern” or “rule,” you can find the missing number in just 5 seconds. In this blog, I will explain this topic in very simple words and provide 10 hand-picked questions that match the exact level of the SSC MTS exam.

What is a Number Series? (Simple Explanation)

You don’t need to be a math genius to understand this. A Number Series is just a chain of numbers that follows a fixed rule. Your only job is to find that rule.

Think of it like a staircase.

• If the steps go up slowly, the rule is Addition (+).
• If the steps go down, the rule is Subtraction (-).
• If the steps jump very high suddenly, the rule is Multiplication (x) or Squares/Cubes.

Most common rules in SSC MTS:

1. Difference: Checking the gap between two numbers.
2. Squares & Cubes: Like 2, 4, 9, 16… or 1, 8, 27…
3. Prime Numbers: Numbers like 2, 3, 5, 7, 11…
4. Alternate Series: Two different rules running side-by-side.

If you just learn to check the gap between numbers first, you will solve 90% of the questions easily!

Practice Set: Important Questions for SSC MTS

Ready to test your brain? We have picked the most common number series patterns that SSC repeats every year. Solve these questions carefully and see how many you can get right in 5 minutes.

Q1. Find the missing number: 5, 11, 17, 23, ?

(A) 27

(B) 29

(C) 30

(D) 31

Answer: (B) 29

Explanation: Here, we are simply adding 6 to each number. 5+6=11, 11+6=17, 17+6=23. So, 23+6 = 29.

Q2. Find the missing number: 50, 45, 40, 35, ?

(A) 30

(B) 32

(C) 25

(D) 28

Answer: (A) 30

Explanation: The numbers are decreasing by 5. 50-5=45, 45-5=40, 40-5=35. So, 35-5 = 30.

Q3. Find the missing number: 2, 4, 8, 16, ?

(A) 20

(B) 24

(C) 32

(D) 30

Answer: (C) 32

Explanation: Every number is being multiplied by 2. 2×2=4, 4×2=8, 8×2=16. So, 16×2 = 32.

Q4. Find the missing number: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ?

(A) 30

(B) 35

(C) 36

(D) 40

Answer: (C) 36

Explanation: These are perfect squares. 1²=1, 2²=4, 3²=9, 4²=16, 5²=25. Next will be 6² = 36.

Q5. Find the missing number: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, ?

(A) 12

(B) 13

(C) 15

(D) 17

Answer: (B) 13

Explanation: This is a series of Prime Numbers (numbers that only divide by themselves). After 11, the next prime number is 13.

Q6. Find the missing number: 10, 12, 15, 19, ?

(A) 22

(B) 23

(C) 24

(D) 25

Answer: (C) 24

Explanation: The gap is increasing. 10+2=12, 12+3=15, 15+4=19. So, the next gap will be +5. 19+5 = 24.

Q7. Find the missing number: 100, 99, 97, 94, ?

(A) 90

(B) 91

(C) 88

(D) 89

Answer: (A) 90

Explanation: The subtraction gap is increasing. 100-1=99, 99-2=97, 97-3=94. Next will be 94-4 = 90.

Q8. Find the missing number: 1, 8, 27, 64, ?

(A) 100

(B) 125

(C) 120

(D) 81

Answer: (B) 125

Explanation: These are perfect cubes. 1³=1, 2³=8, 3³=27, 4³=64. Next is 5³ = 125.

Q9. Find the missing number: 12, 24, 36, 48, ?

(A) 50

(B) 54

(C) 60

(D) 72

Answer: (C) 60

Explanation: This is simply the table of 12. 12 x 1, 12 x 2, 12 x 3, 12 x 4. Next is 12 x 5 = 60.

Q10. Find the missing number: 7, 10, 8, 11, 9, 12, ?

(A) 7

(B) 10

(C) 13

(D) 15

Answer: (B) 10

Explanation: This is an alternate series.

Pattern 1: 7, 8, 9, (next would be 10).

Pattern 2: 10, 11, 12.

So, the missing number is 10.

5 Simple Tips to Prepare Number Series

1. Learn Squares and Cubes: Try to memorize squares up to 30 and cubes up to 15. This will help you spot the answer instantly.
2. The “Gap” Method: 90% of MTS questions are solved by finding the difference between numbers. Always check the gap first.
3. Check for Primes: If you see a series like 2, 3, 5, 7… don’t look for a gap. It’s a prime number series!
4. Don’t Spend Too Much Time: If you can’t find the rule in 30 seconds, move to the next question. Come back to it later with a fresh mind.
5. Practice Previous Year Papers: SSC repeats the same types of patterns. Solving old MTS papers is the best way to prepare.

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FAQs: Number Series for SSC MTS Exam

1. Is Number Series a hard topic?

Not at all. It just looks scary at first. With 10-15 days of practice, you can solve these questions very easily.

2. How many questions come from this topic in SSC MTS?

Usually, you will find 2 to 3 questions in the Reasoning section.

3. What is the most common pattern in MTS?

The “Addition Gap” pattern where the difference between numbers is constant or increasing (like +2, +4, +6…).

4. Is there negative marking in the Reasoning section of SSC MTS?

No! According to the new pattern, Session 1 (Math and Reasoning) has no negative marking. So, you can attempt all questions freely.

5. How can I increase my speed?

The only way is to learn tables, squares, and cubes by heart. If you know that 169 is a square of 13, you will save a lot of time.

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