Which operation turns 25 into 53 in one step and 53 into 109 in the next?

• A. Add 3 then multiply by 2
• B. Multiply by 2 and add 3
• C. Subtract 3
• D. Divide by 2 and add 3

Answer: (B)

The pattern being tested is a rule that doubles a number and then adds three. This rule maps 25 to 25 × 2 + 3 = 53, and then applied again to 53 gives 53 × 2 + 3 = 109. So the same operation works in both steps, producing the required sequence.

Other options don’t hold up when applied repeatedly. For example, adding 3 then doubling takes 25 to 28, then to 56, which is not the next number. Subtracting 3 gives 22 then 19, which diverges from the target. Dividing by 2 and adding 3 yields 15.5 after the first step, which also won’t lead to the stated progression.