What is the next number in the sequence: 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, _____?

The sequence presented is a straightforward countdown, starting from 9 and decreasing by one with each step: 9, 8, 7, 6, 5. Following this logical pattern, the next number should continue the decrementing trend. After 5, the next consecutive number in this decreasing sequence is 4.

This choice maintains the pattern seen throughout the sequence, where each subsequent number is simply one less than the previous one. Thus, the correct answer is 4, as it correctly follows the established numerical sequence of subtracting one with each step.