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.