Find the next number in the series

12, 20, 40, 72, 116, 172 ?

Once while in his court, King Akbar asked Birbal to write something on a wall that makes one sad when read in good times and makes one happy when read in sad times.

He took only a few moment and wrote something that fit the requirements. What did he write?

Fate has decided that you will only be pleased to meet me when you need me

Maybe that is why, when I am working, I start working

However annoying I may be to the regulars, the little ones are always inspired

I will always be waiting if you try to reach me

How many of you can guess my name, let me see

John left on a horse on Thursday , was gone for two days, and came back on Thursday after completing his work. How did that happen?

Your mother’s brother’s only brother-in-law is asleep on your couch. Who is asleep on your couch?

A landlord calls both of his sons and tells them that their horses will now decide who will transfer the inheritance. He tells them to race along the land till the end and the one whose horse will be slower will win and be the heir to all the property.

Both of them keep wandering for days but to no result. Then they ask a wise man regarding it. The man advises them on the matter after which they jump on the horses and race as fast as they can till the end. Why did they do it?

What did the wise man say?

By using all numbers, i.e. 123456789 and subtraction/addition, operators number 100 can be formed in many ways.
Example: 98 + 7 + 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 + 2 - 1 = 100

But if we add a condition use of the number 32 is a must. Then there are limited solutions.
One of such solution is: 9 - 8 + 76 + 54 - 32 + 1 = 100

Can you tell me any other solution?

If,
29 - 1 = 30
9 - 1 = 10
14 - 1 = 15

Based on similar logic, Can you prove that the below algebraic equation is true?
11 - 1 = 10 ?

Rumel, A detective who was mere days from cracking an international smuggling ring has suddenly gone missing. While inspecting his last-known location, you find a note:

710 57735 34 5508 51 7718

Currently, there are 3 suspects: Bill, John, and Todd. Can you break the detective's code and find the criminal's name?

Can you divide numbers from 1 to 9 (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) into two groups so that the sum of the numbers of each group is equal?

Note: 9 cannot be turned over to make it 6.