Answer: a. 18
Step-by-step explanation:
Given phrase : "starting with a value of 3, every consecutive row has a value that is 2 less than twice the value of the previous row"
The recursive formula for the given phrase :-
[tex]a_n=2a_{n-1}-2[/tex]
The first term : [tex]a_1=3[/tex]
The second term : [tex]a_2=2(3)-2=4[/tex]
The third term : [tex]a_3=2(4)-2=6[/tex]
The fourth term : [tex]a_4=2(6)-2=10[/tex]
The fifth term : [tex]a_5=2(10)-2=18[/tex]
Hence, the fifth value of the pattern = 18