Study the pattern:
1 × 8 + 1 = 9 

12 × 8 + 2 = 98 

123 × 8 + 3 = 987

1234 × 8 + 4 = 9876 

12345 × 8 + 5 = 98765
 

Write the next two steps. Can you say how the pattern works?

The given pattern works like this:

1× 8 + 1 = 9

12 × 8 + 2 = 98

123 × 8 + 3 = 987

1234 × 8 + 4 = 9876

12345 × 8 + 5 = 98765

We observe on the left-hand side 1, 12, 123, 1234,... the digits are consecutively increasing. Also, these numbers are being multiplied with 8 in every step. Further, they are being added to consecutive numbers 1, 2, 3, 4... 

On the right-hand side the pattern of the numbers are 9, 98, 987, 9876... the digits are consecutively decreasing.

Thus, the next two steps are:

123456 × 8 + 6 = 987654

1234567 × 8 + 7 = 9876543