Question

Q2) 1,-3, 9, -27, 81, -243, ...
Bobby was absent from school and called you to find out what he missed. You say to find the next
numbers in pattern 2 you would

Answer 1

Key Ideas

• Describing a pattern in a sequence

Solving the Question

We're given:

• 1,-3, 9, -27, 81, -243, ...

The first term is 1. It appears that, to get each consecutive term, we have to multiply the previous term by -3.

• i.e. 1 x -3 = -3
• -3 x -3 = 9
• 9 x -3 = -27

Therefore, to get each the next two terms, we have to multiply the previous term by -3.

Answer

Therefore, to get each the next two terms, we have to multiply the previous term by -3.