Insert the missing number: 172, 34, 40, 18, ? - IQ786

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Insert the missing number: 172, 34, 40, 18, ?

Insert the missing number: 172, 34, 40, 18, ?

7

10

12

16

Explanation

$172 \div 5 = 34.4$ (approximate, doesn't fit exactly)
$172 - 138 = 34$
$34 + 6 = 40$
$40 - 22 = 18$

Observing the sequence, there may be an alternating pattern of subtraction and addition:

$172 - 138 = 34$
$34 + 6 = 40$
$40 - 22 = 18$
$18 + 2 = 10$