Introduction:

Sometimes the most puzzling riddles come in the simplest form. Here’s a viral logic puzzle that’s been circulating online — it looks straightforward, but don’t be too quick to answer.

You’re given a 3×3 number grid. Your challenge?

Figure out the missing number in the bottom-left corner.

Take a look:

[  2     6     18  ]  
[  4    20    100  ]  
[  ?    21    147  ]

At first glance, nothing jumps out. But a closer look — and a shift in perspective — may lead you to a surprising “aha!” moment.

Video: Can You Find The Missing Number ? || Maths Puzzle

Step-by-Step Analysis:

Step 1: Check column by column

Let’s examine each vertical column to see if there’s a pattern.

Column 1:

2  
4  
?

• 2 → 4 (times 2)
• 4 → ? (possibly ×2 again → 8)
• Seems logical, but let’s not jump to conclusions yet.

Column 2:

6
20  
21

• 6 → 20 = +14
• 20 → 21 = +1
• No consistent pattern. Doesn’t help much.

Column 3:

18
100  
147

• 18 → 100 = +82
• 100 → 147 = +47
• Again, irregular increases. Hard to track a clear rule.

Video: Math Quiz find the missing number 

✅ Column analysis doesn’t reveal anything consistent. Time to try another approach.

Step 2: Analyze row by row (horizontal)

Let’s look across each row.

Row 1:

2   → 6   → 18

• 2 × 3 = 6
• 6 × 3 = 18
  ✅ Pattern: Multiply by 3 twice

Row 2:

4   → 20   → 100

• 4 × 5 = 20
• 20 × 5 = 100
  ✅ Pattern: Multiply by 5 twice

So the pattern might be:

• Row 1: ×3, ×3
• Row 2: ×5, ×5
  Let’s test it in Row 3.

Row 3:

?   → 21   → 147

If the pattern continues:

• 21 × 7 = 147
• ? × 7 = 21 → ? = 3

✅ That fits perfectly.

The Hidden Pattern:

Each row follows its own consistent rule:

• Row 1: ×3 → ×3
• Row 2: ×5 → ×5
• Row 3: ×7 → ×7

This sequence of multiplying by odd numbers (3, 5, 7) creates a layered logic that’s easy to miss unless you’re thinking horizontally — not vertically.

Final Answer:

✅ The missing number is 3

Conclusion:

This riddle is a fantastic reminder that solving problems isn’t just about crunching numbers — it’s about approaching things from the right angle. Most people instinctively try to read down columns, but here, the key was reading across rows and recognizing a clear multiplication pattern.

The brilliance of this puzzle lies in its simplicity. With just a bit of attention and pattern recognition, the answer becomes crystal clear — but only if you’re willing to shift your perspective.

👉 Did you figure it out before seeing the solution?
👉 Share this and challenge your friends — let’s see who can crack it fastest!