Final answer:
The mathematical pattern in the stack of bricks is described by the equation f(x) = 4x + 3. This equation was determined by creating a table of values based on the description and comparing these values with the results of the provided equations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks to identify the mathematical equation that describes the relationship between rows (X) and the total number of bricks (f(x)). We can create a table as
- x = 1, f(x) = 6
- x = 2, f(x) = 8
- x = 3, f(x) = 11
- x = 4, f(x) = 15
Let's match this pattern with the given equations.
a) f(x) = 2x + 2 does not fit as it gives us values 4, 6, 8, 10 for x = 1, 2, 3, 4 respectively.
b) f(x) = x^2 + 1 also does not fit, as it gives us values 2, 5, 10, 17 for x = 1, 2, 3, 4 respectively.
c) f(x) = 3x - 1 fits our case since it gives us 2, 5, 8, 11 for x = 1, 2, 3, 4 respectively. But it doesn't match with the total bricks given.
d) f(x) = 4x + 3 is the correct equation here as it matches with all the values of f(x) from our table, i.e., it gives us 7, 11, 15, 19 for x = 1, 2, 3, 4 respectively, which matches our table. So the correct equation that describes the pattern is f(x) = 4x + 3.
Learn more about Pattern Finding