What is the common ratio in this geometric sequence 3,-6,12,-24,48

The common ratio refers to the number that multiplies the previous term to get the next term.

For me, - 2 pops out as the answer. Let's test it out.

First, multiply - 2 by 3.

3 * - 2 = - 6

Now we have our second term and it matches up with - 6 in 3,-6,12,-24,48.

Now multiply it again by - 2.

-6 * - 2 = 12

Yup, we can say - 2 is the answer to this question.