To identify the pattern and find the missing number in the sequence, let's examine the given numbers:
9, 25, 49, 121, 169, 289, 361, ?
Looking closely, we can see that all the numbers in the sequence are perfect squares. Specifically, they are the squares of the following numbers:
3^2 = 9
5^2 = 25
7^2 = 49
11^2 = 121
13^2 = 169
17^2 = 289
19^2 = 361
To find the missing number, we need to determine the next perfect square. The next number in the sequence should be the square of the next consecutive odd number.
The next odd number after 19 is 21. Thus, the missing number in the sequence is 21^2 = 441.
Therefore, the correct answer is A) 441.