Suppose that an insect population’s density, in thousands per acre, during year n, can be modeled by the recursive formula: a1 = 8 an = 2. 9an – 1 – 0. 2(an – 1)2 Which of the following describes what is happening to the insect population for the first five years? The population density decreases each year. The population density increases each year. The population density remains constant. The population alternates between increasing and decreasing.

step-by-step explanation:

part a. the differences are decreasing, so we know the sequence is not arithmetic. the ratios are constant (=3/4), so we know the sequence is geometric.

part b. from part a, we know the common ratio is 3/4, so each term is 3/4 of the one before. the initial term is the number of gallons at h=1.

g[h] = (3/4)·g[h-1]

g[1] = 384 . . . . initial value required for a recursive definition

part c. the general formula for a geometric sequence is

a[n] = a[1]·r^(n-1)

we have a[1] = 384, r = 3/4, and the term number given by h. the formula that follows is

g[h] = 384·(3/4)^(h-1)

part d. filling in the value and doing the arithmetic, we have

g[12] = 384·(3/4)^11 ≈ 384·0.042235136 ≈ 16.2183 . . gallons

part e. each gallon is 4 quarts, so

16.2183 gal × 4 qt/gal = 64.8732 qt

you could deduce the conclusion directly using the facts pertaining to the specific situation.

hope this .