5283079
Examine the two tables. For each table, decide whether the pattern is linear or exponential, and fill in the missing values.
a) <table> <tr> <td>Time \(t\)</td> <td>\(0\)</td> <td>\(1\)</td> <td>\(2\)</td> <td>\(3\)</td> <td>\(4\)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Amount \(A\)</td> <td>\(200\)</td> <td>\(240\)</td> <td></td> <td>\(345.6\)</td> <td></td> </tr> </table>
b) <table> <tr> <td>Time \(t\)</td> <td>\(0\)</td> <td>\(1\)</td> <td>\(2\)</td> <td>\(3\)</td> <td>\(4\)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Amount \(B\)</td> <td>\(200\)</td> <td>\(240\)</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>\(360\)</td> </tr> </table>
Hints
- Test whether consecutive differences are constant.
- Test whether consecutive ratios are constant.
- Decide whether addition or multiplication takes one value to the next.
- Use the known value at the end of each table to check the pattern.
Solution
1. In table a, \(\frac{240}{200}=1.2\). Also, \(240\cdot(1.2)^2=345.6\), so the constant growth factor is \(1.2\), and the pattern is exponential.
2. The missing values in table a are \(240\cdot1.2=288\) at \(t=2\) and \(345.6\cdot1.2=414.72\) at \(t=4\).
3. In table b, \(240-200=40\), and \(200+4\cdot40=360\). The constant difference is \(40\), so the pattern is linear.
4. The missing values in table b are \(240+40=280\) at \(t=2\) and \(280+40=320\) at \(t=3\).
Answer
a) Exponential; \(288\) at \(t=2\) and \(414.72\) at \(t=4\)
b) Linear; \(280\) at \(t=2\) and \(320\) at \(t=3\)
