3, 9, 14, 12, 36, 41, ?

39. its x3, +5, -2

39? lol

I don't think you have enough data points to conclude the pattern is -2 in the middle 

69

Looks like:

3*3 = 9

9 (+ 5) = 14

14 (- 2) = 12

12*3 = 36

36 (+ 5) = 41

41 (- 2) = 39

So next number is 39? Then continue the process of multiplying by 3, adding 5, subtracting 2. Not entirely sure and could theorize a few other ways but this is first thought.

180?

I guess someone really wanted to test your ability to pick up on sequential growth patterns/seasonality?

1. 3 * 1 = 3 (multiply the first number by the value of the place in the sequence, 1st number in sequence so = 3 * 1)
2. 3 * 3 = 9 (multiply itself)
3. (3 * 3) + 2 = 14 (3rd number in sequence - therefore add value of + 2)
4. 3 * 4 = 12 (four total numbers in sequence from 3 to where 12 is supposed to be so * 4)
5. 9 * 4 = 36 (base shifts to 2nd no in sequence and then multiply again by 4 as is 4th no in sequence from 9)
6. (9 * 4)  + 5 = 41 (6th number in sequence so +5)
7. 9 * 6 = 54 (2nd no in sequence as base and is 6 places from 2nd digit in sequence (9))
8. 14 * 6 = 84 (shift to 3rd number in sequence as base)
9. (14 * 6) + 8 = 92

edit - haha nvm, for some reason on step 3. was doing 3 * 4 + 2= 14, I'm thinking it might be something like the above as a recursive function