40. 366, 318, 294, 282, 276, ?
A) 265
B) 262
C) 270
D) 273
E) 254

41. 2, 3, 8, 27, 112, ?
A) 565
B) 490
C) 448
D) 339
E) 678

42. 100, 97.4, 94.8, ?, 89.6, 87
A) 89
B) 92.2
C) 92.4
D) 92
E) 89.5

43. 38, 24, 62, 12, 74, ?
A) 14
B) 76
C) 86
D) 11
E) 28

44. 5, 6, 8, ?, 20, 36, 68
A) 17
B) 12
C) 15
D) 13
E) 18

Sequence: 366, 318, 294, 282, 276, ?
The pattern here involves subtraction:
- 366 - 48 = 318
- 318 - 24 = 294
- 294 - 12 = 282
- 282 - 6 = 276
  Continuing this pattern of subtraction by successively halving the previous difference:
- 276 - 3 = 273
  Thus, the missing number is 273.
- Option D) 273
Sequence: 2, 3, 8, 27, 112, ?
The pattern appears to be multiplying by a factor that increases each time:
- 2 x 1.5 + 0 = 3
- 3 x 2 + 2 = 8
- 8 x 3 + 3 = 27
- 27 x 4 + 4 = 112
  Continuing this pattern:
- 112 x 5 + 5 = 565
  Hence, the missing number is 565.
- Option A) 565
Sequence: 100, 97.4, 94.8, ?, 89.6, 87
The pattern involves a consistent subtraction of 2.6:
- 100 - 2.6 = 97.4
- 97.4 - 2.6 = 94.8
  To find the next number:
- 94.8 - 2.6 = 92.2
  The missing number is 92.2.
- Option B) 92.2
Sequence: 38, 24, 62, 12, 74, ?
This sequence involves alternating patterns:
- 38 - 14 = 24
- 62 - 50 = 12
  Continuing this pattern:
- Next number - 12 = 74 - 62 = 12
  Therefore, the missing number is 86.
- Option C) 86
Sequence: 5, 6, 8, ?, 20, 36, 68
The pattern observes numbers that are roughly doubling and adding subsequent squares:
- 5 + 1 = 6
- 6 + 2 = 8
  Following this:
- 8 + 3^2 = 17
  Thus the missing number is 17.
- Option A) 17