Answer:
nth term: 0.5n² + 2.5n + 3
Explanation:
pattern 1 = 6 bowls
pattern 2 = 10 bowls
pattern 3 = 15 bowls
pattern 4 = 21 bowls
First difference:
- 10 - 6 = 4
- 15 - 10 = 5
- 21 - 15 = 6
Second difference:
This is not an arithmetic nor a geometric sequence.
Solve:
2a = 2nd difference
2a = 1
a = 1/2 or 0.5
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3a + b = 1st difference
3a + b = 4
b = 4 - 3(1/2)
b = 2.5
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a + b + c = first term
1/2 + 2.5 + c = 6
c = 3
Quadratic nth term:
0.5n² + 2.5n + 3
