Question

A baker is putting cupcakes on trays to cool. She put 2 cupcakes on the first tray, 4 cupcakes on the second tray, 8 cupcakes on the third tray, 16 cupcakes on the fourth tray, and 32 cupcakes on the fifth tray. If this pattern continues, how many cupcakes will the baker put on the sixth tray?

Answer 1

64 cupcakes

Explanation:

Tray 1 = 2 cupcakes

Tray 2 = 4 cupcakes

Tray 3 = 8 cupcakes

Tray 4 = 16 cupcakes

Tray 5 = 32 cupcakes

Tray 6 = ?

This is a geometric progression

First term, a = 2

Common ratio, r = 4/2

= 2

6th term = ar^n-1

= 2 × 2^6-1

= 2 × 2^5

= 2 × 32

= 64

The 6th tray will have 64 cupcakes