# Finding out the Nth number in N number series [closed]

I am required to solve a problem. That is, I am having N no.of numeric data. From which I needed to find the next data(number). Its like prediction of fore-coming data. Which formula I have to use to find it? Ex: 5,9,3,7,9,5,3,6,2,?

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Check the OEIS? –  Ｊ. Ｍ. Feb 6 '12 at 13:33
You can always hypothesize that the numbers are random, which is rather hard to formally falsify. Then run your favourite random number generator to predict the next value. Seriously though, without any information about the data, there is nothing to suggest. –  Marc van Leeuwen Feb 6 '12 at 13:41
Cross posted on SO and P.SE, please don't do that. –  Yannis Feb 6 '12 at 13:45
possible duplicate of Predict next number from a series –  tomasz Aug 18 '12 at 2:48

## closed as not a real question by Rasmus, Leonid Kovalev, Asaf Karagila, tomasz, Chris EagleAug 18 '12 at 10:08

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Are you sure? I think the next number is $7$, as this sequence certainly comes from the very well known: $$\text{"Every rectangle has exactly seventeen weird and hectic,}$$ $$\text{or revered and apodeictic,}$$ $$\text{mysterious and more,}$$ $$\text{meanings in ancient Mayan lore."}$$ –  Eric Naslund Feb 7 '12 at 10:51