Let's analyze the numbers in the three circles to find the pattern and determine the missing number in the middle circle.

First circle (left):

• Numbers: 16, 2, 12, 36
• A potential pattern: The product of opposite pairs (16 and 36, 2 and 12) both result in 576.
  • $16 \times 36 = 576$
  • $12 \times 2 = 24 \times 24 = 576$

Third circle (right):

• Numbers: 4, 1, 10, 25
• The same pattern seems to apply:
  • $4 \times 25 = 100$
  • $1 \times 10 = 10$
  • Both results are 100, so the pattern holds.

Middle circle:

• Given numbers: 144, 2, ?, 1
• Let's use the same idea:
  • $144 \times 1 = 144$
  • So, the unknown number (question mark) should satisfy $? \times 2 = 144$, meaning $? = \frac{144}{2} = 72$.

Answer:

The missing number is 72.

Would you like more details, or do you have any other questions?

Here are 5 related questions to practice:

1. If the number 2 were replaced with 3 in the middle circle, what would the new missing number be?
2. What happens if we change the pattern to addition instead of multiplication for the third circle?
3. Can you create a similar problem using different numbers but keeping the same multiplication pattern?
4. How would you solve this problem if no specific pattern was given?
5. What if instead of opposite pairs, the adjacent numbers were used for the pattern?

Tip: Always look for patterns like multiplication, addition, or symmetry when solving these types of puzzles.