What comes next? Can you figure it out?

A popular “Riddle Time” image is making the rounds online, showing a simple-looking pattern:

• 2 = 3
• 3 = 8
• 4 = 15
• 5 = 24
• 7 = ?

At first glance, it might feel random—but the math behind it is consistent.

The Hidden Rule Behind the Pattern

Each answer is built from the number on the left using this rule:

Result = (number × number) − 1
In other words: Result = n² − 1

Let’s verify it quickly:

• For 2: 2² − 1 = 4 − 1 = 3 ✅
• For 3: 3² − 1 = 9 − 1 = 8 ✅
• For 4: 4² − 1 = 16 − 1 = 15 ✅
• For 5: 5² − 1 = 25 − 1 = 24 ✅

The pattern matches perfectly every time.

So, What Is 7?

Now apply the same rule:

7² − 1 = 49 − 1 = 48

✅ Correct answer: 7 = 48