Find the next number in the given series: 43, 53, 61, 71, 79, 89, ?

Question

Find the next number in the given series:

43, 53, 61, 71, 79, 89, ?

1. A. 101 (Correct answer)
2. B. 98
3. C. 99
4. D. 103

Correct Answer

Option A — 101

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is 101.

Key Points

• Every term is a prime number: 43, 53, 61, 71, 79, 89.
• They are not consecutive primes but alternate ones. In the list of primes, 43 is the 14th, 53 the 16th, 61 the 18th, 71 the 20th, 79 the 22nd and 89 the 24th.
• The next term is therefore the 26th prime. Counting on: 97 is the 25th and 101 is the 26th.

Additional Information

• The differences run +10, +8, +10, +8, +10, which tempts one toward 89 + 8 = 97 — but 97 is not offered, and it is the *alternate-prime* rule, not the difference pattern, that the series actually follows.
• Among the options, 98 and 99 are composite (98 = 2 × 7², 99 = 9 × 11), so only 101 and 103 are even candidates; the position rule settles it at 101.

*Ministry of Papers worked solution. The Commission has not yet published the official key for this paper; this answer will be reconciled with it on release.*