Only a genius can guess the next number in this sequence

A tricky number puzzle has left thousands of people scratching their heads online, with experts claiming that only a genius can figure out the next number. The challenge comes from the famous look-and-say sequence, a clever pattern first popularised by mathematician John Conway.

The sequence starts simply, with the number 1. Each number after that is created by describing the digits of the previous number. For example, starting with 1, the next number is 11, which means “one 1.” Then comes 21, which is “two 1s,” followed by 1211, meaning “one 2, one 1.” It may look confusing at first, but the pattern is simple once you know the trick.

Try it yourself

See if you can guess the next number in this sequence:

1, 11, 21, 1211, 111221, … ? 

Can’t figure it out? Don’t worry, here’s how it works: take the last number, 111221, and describe it out loud. You have three 1s, two 2s, and one 1. Writing that down gives 312211.

So the next number in the sequence is 312211.

Mathematicians love the sequence because it shows how simple rules can create surprisingly complex results.

Conway even proved that the numbers grow quickly and follow predictable patterns, which is why it’s sometimes called the “audio-visual sequence” – you literally “read” the numbers aloud to generate the next one.

It’s a simple idea, but it can be tricky because the numbers grow longer very quickly. Many people find it “addictively satisfying” to work out the next number and see the pattern unfold perfectly.

Teachers even use the sequence in classrooms to help students improve their logical thinking and pattern recognition.

Whether you’re a maths whizz or just looking for a fun brain teaser, the look-and-say sequence is a clever way to test your skills. If you managed to get 312211 on your first try, congratulations – you might just be a genius!