12 , 14 , 31, 96, 393, 1971, 11833
Find the wrong number in the following number series.

The correct option is 96.

Let us analyze the given pattern in the number series: 12, 14, 31, 96, 393, 1971, 11833.

We check the step-by-step logic relating consecutive terms:

$12\times 1+2=14$

$14\times 2+3=31$

Following this pattern, each term is multiplied by an increasing integer starting from 1, and then an increasing integer starting from 2 is added.

So, the next term should be:

$31\times 3+4=93+4=97$

However, the given series has 96 instead of 97.

Let us verify the remaining terms using 97:

$97\times 4+5=388+5=393$

$393\times 5+6=1965+6=1971$

$1971\times 6+7=11826+7=11833$

All subsequent terms match the given series when 96 is replaced by 97. Therefore, 96 is the wrong number in the series.