Final answer:
The rule for the height of the tree during the nth month is an = 82 + 2(n-1).
Step-by-step explanation:
The rule for the height of the tree during the nth month is an = 82 + 2(n-1).
In this formula, 'an' represents the height of the tree during the nth month, and 'n' represents the month number.
Let's use the given information to understand this formula.
In the third month, the tree is 82 inches tall.
So, when n = 3, according to the formula, a3 = 82 + 2(3-1) = 82 + 2(2) = 82 + 4 = 86 inches.
Similarly, in the seventh month, the tree is 92 inches tall. So, when n = 7, a7 = 82 + 2(7-1) = 82 + 2(6) = 82 + 12 = 94 inches.
Therefore, the rule for the height of the tree during the nth month is an = 82 + 2(n-1).