16, 24, _____ , 40, 48

Choose the answer which best completes the number pattern:
16, 24, _____, 40, 48

(A) 30
(B) 32
(C) 34
(D) 36

The answer is: (B) 32
8×2=16, 8×3=24, 8×4=32, 8×5=40