JAMIA 2026 — Reasoning PYQ

To find the incorrect number in the sequence, let us evaluate the consecutive differences between the successive terms of the given series.

Step 1: Write down the position of each term

• $1^{\text{st}}\text{ term}=2$

• $2^{\text{nd}}\text{ term}=5$

• $3^{\text{rd}}\text{ term}=8$

• $4^{\text{th}}\text{ term}=12$

• $5^{\text{th}}\text{ term}=14$

• $6^{\text{th}}\text{ term}=17$

• $7^{\text{th}}\text{ term}=20$

Step 2: Analyze the constant difference pattern

Let us check the differences between consecutive elements where the pattern appears steady:

• $5-2=3$

• $8-5=3$

The initial segments demonstrate a common constant difference of $+3$. This points towards an Arithmetic Progression (AP) with a common difference of $d=3$.

Step 3: Test the continuous $+3$ pattern throughout the series

If the sequence continues with an addition of $3$ at each step:

• $1^{\text{st}}\text{ term}=2$

• $2^{\text{nd}}\text{ term}=2+3=5$

• $3^{\text{rd}}\text{ term}=5+3=8$

• $4^{\text{th}}\text{ term}=8+3=11$

• $5^{\text{th}}\text{ term}=11+3=14$

• $6^{\text{th}}\text{ term}=14+3=17$

• $7^{\text{th}}\text{ term}=17+3=20$

Step 4: Identify the discrepancy

• According to our verified arithmetic pattern, the $4^{\text{th}}\text{ term}$ should be $11$.

• However, in the given sequence, the $4^{\text{th}}\text{ term}$ is printed as $12$.

Because $12$ disrupts the logic ($12-8=4$ and $14-12=2$), replacing it with $11$ restores the perfect $+3$ uniformity across the whole chain.

Final Answer

The wrong term in the sequence is the $4^{\text{th}}$ term.

Correct Option: (d) $4^{\text{th}}$