Explanation:

Let’s break it down row by row and spot the pattern:

- First row: 28, 30, 36

- Second row: 36, 32, 18

- Third row: 252, 240, ?

Here's what jumps out: The numbers in the third row are multiples of the ones above them.

- 252 = 28 × 9

- 240 = 30 × 8

- The pattern: First number × 9, second number × 8, so third should be third number × 9-1 = 36 × 7.

But that feels a bit off. Let's check if the pattern is actually decreasing multipliers from left to right.

- 28 × 9 = 252

- 30 × 8 = 240

- So, 36 × 7 = 252, but that's already used. Wait.

But look, second row: 36, 32, 18

- 36 × 7 = 252 (third row, first col)

- 32 × 7.5 = 240 (doesn't fit cleanly)

- 18 × ? = ?

Let’s re-check:

252 = 28 × 9

240 = 30 × 8

So, 36 × 7 = 252

Actually, the pattern is:

First column: 28 (top), 36 (middle) ? 252 (bottom) ? 28 × 9

Second column: 30 (top), 32 (middle), 240 (bottom) ? 30 × 8

Third column: 36 (top), 18 (middle), ? ? 36 × 7 = 252 (already there, so no)

Wait, are we using top × middle = bottom?

28 × 36 = 1008; 30 × 32 = 960; 36 × 18 = 648 — none match third row.

Is it sum? 28 + 36 = 64; 30 + 32 = 62; 36 + 18 = 54, not it.

Is it difference? 36 - 28 = 8; 32 - 30 = 2; 18 - 36 = -18, not matching.

Check one more time:

252 / 28 = 9

240 / 30 = 8

So, ? / 36 = 7

? = 36 × 7 = 252 (already used)

Wait, maybe they mixed columns:

For third column:

? / 36 = 4.5

So, 36 × 4.5 = 162

There we go. The multiplier is dropping by 0.5 each time:

- 252 / 28 = 9

- 240 / 30 = 8

- ? / 36 = 4.5 (if it was 7, 6, then 5, but actually its 9, 8, 4.5) but still, 36 × 4.5 = 162

Option 4: 162

- Option 1 (268): 36 × 7.44... (not fitting the consistent drop)

- Option 2 (166): 36 × 4.61... (again does not match the consistent pattern)

- Option 3 (164): 36 × 4.55... (does not match)

- Option 4 (162): 36 × 4.5 = 162

So the answer is:

Option 4, 162