Explanation:

Let's break down the sequence:

- 98 to 95: Minus 3

- 95 to 86: Minus 9

- 86 to 82: Minus 4

- 82 to 66: Minus 16

- 66 to ?: ?

- ? to 36: ?

Look at the pattern of differences: -3, -9, -4, -16

- The differences alternate between small and large numbers.

- -3, -4 (decrease by 1), -9, -16 (difference grows, -9 then -16: both are multiples of 8 and 9 by 1, respectively?)

Checking for alternating pattern:

- 98 ? 95 (minus 3)

- 95 ? 86 (minus 9)

- 86 ? 82 (minus 4)

- 82 ? 66 (minus 16)

- 66 ? ?

- ? ? 36

If we keep the alternating small/large-minus pattern going:

- After -16, next should be a "small" step, following -3 then -4. Pattern: -3, -9, -4, -16, -5?

- 66 - 5 = 61

- Then, check next step: 61 - ? = 36 ? 61 - 25 = 36. Large step -25, and the pattern of large numbers: -9, -16, -25 (difference increases by 7 and 9).

So, the correct answer is:

Option 4: 61

- The difference alternates: small (-3, -4), big (-9, -16, -25), numbers go down.

- "Small difference" after -4 is -5.

- So, 66 - 5 = 61, and then 61 - 25 = 36.