Explanation:

Let’s break this series down: 5, 10, 26, ?, 122, 170

- First, look at the jump between numbers:

- 5 ? 10: +5

- 10 ? 26: +16

- 26 ? ?: unknown

- ? ? 122: unknown

- 122 ? 170: +48

- Now, check if there’s a pattern in how these increases happen:

- 5 ? 10 (add 5)

- 10 ? 26 (add 16)

- 26 ? ?

- ? ? 122

- 122 ? 170 (add 48)

- Look at those increases: 5, 16, ?, ?, 48

- What if 5, 16, ?, 48 has a pattern? Notice the increases:

- 5 × 3 + 1 = 16

- 16 × 2 + 0 = 32 (maybe this is the next step?)

- 32 + 26 = 58, not an option

- Try another approach: consider if the jumps themselves increase by adding a sequence

- 5 + 11 = 16

- 16 + 22 = 38 (again, doesn't fit)

- Check the difference between the known jumps:

- 16 - 5 = 11

- 48 - unknown = unknown

- Try the options:

- Option 1: 82 — 122 - 82 = 40 (previous jump: 26 - 10 = 16, from 82 - 26 = 56, doesn't help)

- Option 2: 50 — 122 - 50 = 72, but 50 - 26 = 24

- Option 3: 65 — 65 - 26 = 39, 122 - 65 = 57

- Option 4: 77 — 77 - 26 = 51, 122 - 77 = 45

- Wait, go back, check if the pattern is +5, +16, +33, +48 (look, 5, 16, 33, 48—see how each step goes up by about 11-17 more each time?)

- 10 - 5 = 5

- 26 - 10 = 16

- If next is 33, 26 + 33 = 59 (not listed)

- If next is 24, 26 + 24 = 50 (ah! This matches Option 2!)

- Next, 122 - 50 = 72, which matches 48 (previous jump) + 24

- So difference sequence: +5, +11, +8, +24, +48

- 5 + 11 = 16

- 16 + 8 = 24

- 24 + 24 = 48

- 48 + 24 = 72

- This builds: 5, 16, 24, 48, 72

The correct answer is OPTION 2: 50