Explanation:

Let’s break it down step by step, like you’d explain it to a friend:

- Start with the pairs: 18 : 216. If you look, 216 is actually 18 x 12.

- Next pair: 20 : 280. 280 divided by 20 is 14. So, 20 x 14 = 280.

- The pattern is: first number gets multiplied by something—goes 12, then 14. That’s a +2 jump.

- So for 12, follow the pattern: Next number should be 16 (since 14+2=16).

- Do the math: 12 x 16 = 192. Hmm, that’s not in the options.

Let’s check the options anyway:

- Option 1: 12 x 80 = 960 — way too high.

- Option 2: 12 x 88 = 1056 — also way off.

- Option 3: 12 x 84 = 1008 — nope.

- Option 4: 12 x 72 = 864 — doesn’t fit the sequence.

Wait—maybe it’s addition, not multiplication?

- 18 ? 216? That difference is 198, but 20 ? 280 is 260. No clear addition pattern.

- Let’s try cube: 18³ is 5832. 20³ is 8000. Not matching.

Maybe try multiplication by sequence of even numbers?

- 18 x 12 = 216 (12 is even)

- 20 x 14 = 280 (next even, +2)

- Next: 12 x 16 = 192 (again, not in options)

Looking at the numbers, maybe it’s n x (n+10):

- 18 x 12 = 216 — nope.

- 20 x 14 = 280 — nope.

Let’s just check your answer—

Option 4: 12 x 72 = 864

So none fit the sequence you’d expect from the earlier logic. All the options seem quite random compared to the others.

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