Determine the number that should replace the question mark (?) in the following sequence.

131, 143, 157, 175, 201, ?

The correct option is 243.

To find the missing number in the sequence, let us analyze the pattern of differences between consecutive terms:

First difference (between consecutive terms):

$143-131=12$

$157-143=14$

$175-157=18$

$201-175=26$

Now, let us find the second difference (the difference between successive differences):

$14-12=2=2^1$

$18-14=4=2^2$

$26-18=8=2^3$

Following this pattern, the next second difference should be:

$2^4=16$

Adding 16 to the previous first difference of 26 gives the next difference:

$26+16=42$

Finally, to find the number that replaces the question mark (?), add 42 to the last term (201):

$201+42=243$