What is the next number in the series 12, 17, 24, 33, 44?

To determine the next number in the series 12, 17, 24, 33, 44, you need to analyze the pattern of the differences between consecutive numbers.

Starting with the first two numbers:

• From 12 to 17, the difference is 5.

• From 17 to 24, the difference is 7.

• From 24 to 33, the difference is 9.

• From 33 to 44, the difference is 11.

The differences in this sequence are: 5, 7, 9, and 11. You can observe that these differences increase by 2 each time (5 + 2 = 7, 7 + 2 = 9, and 9 + 2 = 11).

Following this logic, the next difference after 11 would logically be 13. Adding this difference to the last number in the series:

44 + 13 = 57.

Thus, the next number in the series is 57, supporting the conclusion that this option is correct based on the identified pattern of increasing differences.