How do you solve a distributive equation

hello from mrbilldoesmath!

answer:

a(n) - a(n-1) -3

discussion:

this ones a bit interesting. given a(n) = 5 - 3n consider this:

a(n-1) = 5 - 3(n-1)

          = (5 - 3n) + 3             => but a(n) = 5 - 3n, the first term

          = a(n)   + 3                 => subtract 3 from both sides

a(n-1) -3 = a(n)  

or

a(n) - a(n-1) -3

you,

mrb

answer: expected value of x = 1.0

step-by-step explanation:

p(x=0) = 0.25

p(x=1) = 0.50

p(x=2) = 0.25

expected value for x = 0×0.25 + 1×0.5 + 2×0.25 = 1.0