Step-by-step Solution:

Pattern Analysis

The pattern in this series is found by looking at the differences between consecutive numbers:

• 10 - 3 = 7


• 24 - 10 = 14


• 45 - 24 = 21


• 73 - 45 = 28

These differences (7, 14, 21, 28) form a simple arithmetic sequence, where each difference increases by 7.

1. The next difference in the sequence must be 28 + 7 = 35.


2. Adding this difference to the last term of the original series gives the next number: 73 + 35 = 108.

The next number in the series is 108.