What is the next number in the sequence below?5     3     9     13     23

The sequence appears to be alternating between subtracting 2 and adding a number that increases by 2 each time.

Here's the pattern:

• Start with 5.
• Subtract 2 to get 3.
• Add 6 (2*3) to get 9.
• Add 4 (2*2) to get 13.
• Add 10 (2*5) to get 23.

Following this pattern, the next step would be to add 6 (2*3) to the last number.

So, 23 + 6 = 29.

Therefore, the next number in the sequence is 29.

The sequence appears to be alternating between subtracting 2 and adding a number that increases by 2 each time.

Here's the pattern:

• Start with 5.
• Subtract 2 to get 3.
• Add 6 (2*3) to get 9.
• Subtract 2 to get 7.
• Add 8 (2*4) to get 15.
• Subtract 2 to get 13.
• Add 10 (2*5) to get 23.

Following this pattern, the next step would be to subtract 2 from 23, which gives us 21.