What will come in place of the question mark (?) in the following number series? 5, 12, 26, 54, ? MCQ with Answer and Explanation

Explanation:
The pattern alternates: +4, ×2? No, 4+4=8, 8+4=12, 12+8=20. Actually, it's adding consecutive even numbers: +4, +4, +8. But more precisely: 4+4=8, 8+4=12, 12+8=20, 20+12=32? Let's re-evaluate: The differences are 4, 4, 8, 12. Not a clear pattern. A better pattern: each term is the sum of the previous two terms? 4+8=12, 8+12=20, 12+20=32. Yes, this is a Fibonacci-like series. The next term is 12+20=32.

Explanation:
The differences are: 2, 4, 6, 8. These are increasing by 2. The next difference is 10. Therefore, 24+10=34.

Explanation:
The series consists of squares of consecutive integers: 1², 2², 3², 4², 5². The next term is 6²=36.