Here, it’s all about seeing the pattern beyond simple math. This isn’t just your average addition issue. Rather, the outcome of every line builds upon the outcome of the one before it.
Line one: 1 + 4 equals 5
This one is simple: 1 plus 4 is 5.
Line two: 2 + 5 = 12
This is where fundamental math starts to become less relevant. It’s not as simple as 2 + 5. It appears that the pattern adds the value of 5, which comes from the previous line, to the total:
5 (the previous outcome) plus (2 + 5) equals 12
Line three: 3 + 6 = 21
In a similar vein, this line’s result incorporates the preceding result:
12 (the earlier outcome) plus (3 + 6) = 21
Line four (the query): 5 + 8 =?
- Following the same pattern, you take the previous result (21) and add the sum of 5 + 8:
21 (previous result) + (5 + 8) = 34
