Question

A certain business has implemented a new incentive plan whereby an employee earns tokens for every sale they make.

For 1 sale, an employee earns 1 token.
For 2 sales, an employee earns 9 tokens.
For 3 sales, an employee earns 21 tokens.
For 4 sales, an employee earns 37 tokens.

Which recursive equation represents the pattern?

Answer 1

I think its an=an-1+(n-4) but not sure

Answer 2

@jim_thompson5910 approval

Answer 3

approved?*

Answer 4

one sec

Answer 5

Okiee :D

Answer 6

well notice how the jump from 1 to 9 is +8

the jump from 9 to 21 is +12

the jump from 21 to 37 is +16

Answer 7

so the jumps are: 8, 12, 16, ...

and this pattern continues

Answer 8

yes? but istn each one minus 4 backwards?

Answer 9

so if the first term is a1 = 1

then you need to add 8 to it to get

a2 = a1 + 8

a2 = 1+8

a2 = 9

Answer 10

the third term is

a3 = a2 + 12

a3 = 9 + 12

a3 = 21

Answer 11

hopefully you're seeing a relationship form between the index number and the number we're adding on

Answer 12

a4 = a3 + 16

a4 = 21 + 16

a4 = 37

Answer 13

adding 4?

Answer 14

it's not n-4

but here's a hint: 2*____ = 8

3*_____ = 12
4*_____ = 16
etc etc

Answer 15

is it an=an-1+4n?

Answer 16

yep

Answer 17

rule:

next term = (previous term) + 4*(index of next term)

Answer 18

i have like 5 more questions, would you mind helping me out? :/

Answer 19

Now i get it, i was just counting backwards, like an idiot

Answer 20

that's quite a bit, but we'll see how things go

Answer 21

Okay, thanks again @jim_thompson5910

Answer 22

np