Often, you will need to figure out a number series. There is a pattern established between the numbers. Usually, they are either increased by a number by adding or subtracting them. You could also multiply or divide them to get the next number. Sometimes, it is the same number that is added or multiplied or subtracted or separated, but sometimes there is a system to that set of numbers.
They could be increased or decreased by the odd numbers in order. For instance, the pattern could be established by increasing by two, then four, then six and then eight. However, in this case, the numbers increase by odd numbers starting with three. Therefore, the next number is multiplied by nine to be 27.