A group of students is arranging squares into layers to create a project. The first layer has 4 squares. The second layer has 8 squares. Which formula represents an arithmetic explicit formula to determine the number of squares in each layer?

hello from mrbilldoesmath!

answer:

a(n) - a(n-1) -3

discussion:

this ones a bit interesting. given a(n) = 5 - 3n consider this:

a(n-1) = 5 - 3(n-1)

          = (5 - 3n) + 3             => but a(n) = 5 - 3n, the first term

          = a(n)   + 3                 => subtract 3 from both sides

a(n-1) -3 = a(n)  

or

a(n) - a(n-1) -3

you,

mrb

part a

x     y

0     8

1     7.5

2     7

3     6.5

4     6

5     5.5  

for every hour i deducted .5 inches from the length of the candle

part b

it is a function because for every x value there is only one y value

part   c

for every x value there is only one y value

x       y

0       8

1       7.6

2       7.2

3       6.8

step-by-step explanation: