Find the next term of the series.

4, 8, 28, 80, 244, ?

728

The correct answer is Option (4) → 728

The pattern is ${}^{\backslash (\; 3^n\; \backslash )}$ alternating between adding 1 and subtracting 1 as $n$ increases, starting with $n=1$ and adding 1.

4 = ${}^{\backslash (\; 3^n\; \backslash )}$ + 1

8 = ${}^{\backslash (\; 3^2\; \backslash )\; -\; 1}$

28 = \( 3^3 \) + 1

80 = \( 3^4 \) - 1

244 =\( 3^5 \) + 1

To find the next term, which would correspond to n=6, we follow the alternating pattern:

Next term = \( 3^6 \) - 1

                 = 729−1

${}^{{}^{{}^{{}^{{}^{{}^{{}^{{}^{{}^{{}^{{}^{{}^{=\; 728}}}}}}}}}}}}$