College

Select the correct answer.

Each month, Barry makes three transactions in his checking account:
- He deposits [tex]\$700[/tex] from his paycheck.
- He withdraws [tex]\$150[/tex] to buy gas for his car.
- He withdraws [tex]\$400[/tex] for other expenses.

If his account balance is [tex]\$1,900[/tex] at the end of the 1st month, which recursive equation models Barry's account balance at the end of month [tex]n[/tex]?

A. [tex]f(1) = 1,900[/tex]
[tex]f(n) = 150 \cdot f(n-1)[/tex], for [tex]n \geq 2[/tex]

B. [tex]f(1) = 1,900[/tex]
[tex]f(n) = f(n-1) + 150[/tex], for [tex]n \geq 2[/tex]

C. [tex]f(1) = 1,900[/tex]
[tex]f(n) = f(n-1) + 700[/tex], for [tex]n \geq 2[/tex]

D. [tex]f(1) = 1,900[/tex]
[tex]f(n) = f(n-1) - 150[/tex], for [tex]n \geq 2[/tex]

Answer :

To solve the problem, let's analyze the transactions Barry makes each month in his checking account:

1. Barry deposits [tex]$700 from his paycheck.
2. He withdraws $[/tex]150 for gas.
3. He withdraws [tex]$400 for other expenses.

We need to model Barry's account balance at the end of month \( n \) using a recursive equation. Let's break down the steps:

- Initial Balance: Barry's account balance at the end of the first month, \( f(1) \), is given as \( \$[/tex]1,900 \).

- Monthly Change in Balance:
- First, calculate the total withdrawals each month:
- Gas: [tex]\( \$150 \)[/tex]
- Other expenses: [tex]\( \$400 \)[/tex]
- Total withdrawals = [tex]\( 150 + 400 = \$550 \)[/tex]

- Calculate the net effect on the account balance:
[tex]\[
\text{Net change} = \text{Deposit} - \text{Total Withdrawals} = 700 - 550 = \$150
\][/tex]

Thus, each month, Barry's account balance increases by [tex]\( \$150 \)[/tex].

- Recursive Equation:
- For month [tex]\( n \geq 2 \)[/tex], the balance can be expressed as:
[tex]\[
f(n) = f(n-1) + 150
\][/tex]

Now let's review the options:

- Option A: This option suggests multiplying the balance, which isn't correct based on the operations (additions and subtractions) described in the problem.
- Option B: This matches our findings, where each month's balance is the previous month's balance plus [tex]\( \$150 \)[/tex].
- Option C: Incorrect, as it suggests adding the deposit amount without accounting for withdrawals.
- Option D: Incorrect, since it only accounts for the gas withdrawal.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

B. [tex]\( f(1) = 1,900 \)[/tex]; [tex]\( f(n) = f(n-1) + 150 \)[/tex], for [tex]\( n \geq 2 \)[/tex].