To find the next number in the sequence 9, 3, 1, 13, we need to analyze the pattern of the numbers.
Let’s look at the differences between consecutive terms:
- 3 – 9 = -6
- 1 – 3 = -2
- 13 – 1 = 12
The differences are: -6, -2, and 12. There doesn’t seem to be a simple arithmetic progression or a clear multiplication or division pattern here. However, if we examine the pattern in more detail:
If we consider operations applied to each number to reach the next:
- 9 divided by 3 is 3.
- 3 minus 2 is 1.
- 1 plus 12 is 13.
It appears that we are alternating between division and subtraction/addition. Following this pattern:
- Start with 9, divide by 3 to get 3.
- Then subtract 2 from 3 to get 1.
- Next, add 12 to 1 to get 13.
Continuing this logic, we can find the next operation. After adding 12 to get to 13, we might subtract a number that fits the established progression. Since the pattern seems to work with increasing values, we can choose a number larger than 12 to subtract; for example, let’s subtract 6:
13 – 6 = 7.
Thus, based on the detected pattern, the next number in the sequence could be:
7
To summarize, the sequence seems to require alternating mathematical operations that lead us to the conclusion that after 9, 3, 1, and 13, the next number is 7.