When this matrix equation is solved in the calculator, we obtain a₁ = 4.1667 a₂ = -55.3333 a₃ = 253.3333 a₄ = -451.1667 a₅ = 291.0000
Test the solution. y(1) = 42 y(2) = 26 y(3) = 61 y(4) = 65 y(5) = 56
The average for 5 days is (42+26+61+65+56)/5 = 50. If Kathy collected 53 creatures instead of 56 on day 5, the average becomes (42+26+61+65+53)/5 = 49.4.
Now predict values for days 5,7,8. y(6) = 152 y(7) = 571 y(8) = 1631