In the figure, the number 8 was obtained by adding the two numbers directly below its position. By doing the same to fill in the blank spaces, one gets 42 in the indicated position. What is the value of $x$?
(a) 7
(b) 3
(c) 5
(d) 4
(e) 6

![](https://cdn.mathpix.com/cropped/2024_05_01_30c9a294a58a6e4b8190g-008.jpg?height=331&width=311&top_left_y=366&top_left_x=1518)
The correct option is (e).

Using the given rule, we fill in the empty cells starting from the second row from the bottom and obtain the figure. Therefore,

$$
(13+x)+(11+2 x)=42
$$

and thus, $24+3 x=42$, which means $x=6$.

![](https://cdn.mathpix.com/cropped/2024_05_01_30c9a294a58a6e4b8190g-050.jpg?height=437&width=420&top_left_y=747&top_left_x=1412)