I'm doing patterns and they want me to find the next term in the following sequence: 3, -9, 27, -81...
I first tried 9. That didn't work so I tried -3. It seemed to come out right but teacher said it didn't. I don't want an answer.. I just need help figuring it out.

Question

anonymous · Answer

You have a stupid teacher.

anonymous · Answer

Thanks that really helps... Not.

anonymous · Answer

each number is -3 times the previous number
so the next number is -81*-3 = +243

anonymous · Answer

Indeed rim, but his/here teacher said it wasn't -3.

anonymous · Answer

the answer isn't -3 that is the ratio

anonymous · Answer

Oh.. thanks rim182946! That makes sense. I forgot that two negatives multiplied together make a positive. the reason why my teacher said it was wrong was because I answered -243

anonymous · Answer

the answer is 243