01 If (N_1=8) and (N_n=2N_{n-1}-n(n-1)), what is the value of (N_4)?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. 32
Explanation: Apply the recursive rule using the preceding term each time: \(N_2=2(8)-2(1)=14\), \(N_3=2(14)-3(2)=22\), and \(N_4=2(22)-4(3)=32\). Hence, the correct answer is \(32\). A close distractor such as \(34\) can result from evaluating \(4(3)\) incorrectly. Exam tip: calculate \(n(n-1)\) separately at every step before subtracting it.