To find the missing number that completes the pattern, let's analyze the structure and try to determine the relationship between the numbers in each row.

Step-by-Step Analysis:

The numbers in each row appear to follow a consistent arithmetic relationship. Let’s examine each row individually to identify this relationship.

Row 1:

• Numbers: $-4, -6, -9, -6$

Let's test if there's a consistent operation:

1. From $-4$ to $-6$: $-4 - 2 = -6$
2. From $-6$ to $-9$: $-6 - 3 = -9$
3. From $-9$ to $-6$: $-9 + 3 = -6$

The pattern here seems to alternate between subtracting and adding specific numbers.

Row 2:

• Numbers: $?, 7, 4, -4$

Assuming the same rule applies (alternating subtraction and addition):

1. From $7$ to $4$: $7 - 3 = 4$
2. From $4$ to $-4$: $4 - 8 = -4$

Following this pattern backwards:

• To reach $7$, we would need to add $8$ to the missing number.

Thus, the missing number should be: $? = 7 - 8 = -1$

Conclusion:

The missing number is $-1$.

Would you like more details or have any questions about the solution?

Here are some follow-up questions that might deepen your understanding:

1. What if the pattern followed a multiplicative rule instead of addition and subtraction?
2. How can you test other possible arithmetic patterns in sequences?
3. What strategies help identify alternating patterns in number sequences?
4. Can the concept of recursive sequences apply here?
5. How would you generalize this approach to larger grids?

Tip: In patterns, alternating sequences often suggest back-and-forth operations like addition and subtraction or multiplication and division.