Find the missing term in the sequence: $4,8,28,80,244,?$

Let us look at the mathematical pattern governing the sequence:
* $4\times 3-4=8$
* $8\times 3+4=28$
* $28\times 3-4=80$
* $80\times 3+4=244$

Following this alternating structure ($\times 3-4$ and $\times 3+4$), the next operation must be $\times 3-4$:

$$\text{Next Term}=244\times 3-4=732-4=728$$

Alternative Method: The terms can also be expressed as combinations of powers of 3:

* $3^1+1=4$
* $3^2-1=8$
* $3^3+1=28$
* $3^4-1=80$
* $3^5+1=244$
* $3^6-1=729-1=728$