The missing number is 3.
The numbers in the sequence are increasing by 2, except for the last number, which is decreasing by 1. Therefore, the missing number must be 3, which is 2 less than the last number in the sequence.
A. 4 is not the missing number because it is not 2 less than the last number in the sequence.
B. 7 is not the missing number because it is not 2 less than the last number in the sequence.
C. 3 is the missing number because it is 2 less than the last number in the sequence.
D. 9 is not the missing number because it is not 2 less than the last number in the sequence.