What is the missing number in the table?

\begin{tabular}{|l|c|c|c|c|c|}
\hline
[tex]$x$[/tex] & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 \\
\hline
[tex]$y$[/tex] & 6 & 36 & 216 & [tex]$?$[/tex] & 7,776 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}

A. 252
B. 396
C. 864
D. 1,296



Answer :

To find the missing number in the table, we'll analyze the pattern present in the [tex]\( y \)[/tex]-values corresponding to each [tex]\( x \)[/tex]-value.

Here is the table we have:
[tex]\[ \begin{tabular}{|l|c|c|c|c|c|} \hline $x$ & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 \\ \hline $y$ & 6 & 36 & 216 & ??? & 7,776 \\ \hline \end{tabular} \][/tex]

Looking at the [tex]\( y \)[/tex]-values, we notice the following pattern:

1. When [tex]\( x = 1, y = 6 \)[/tex]
2. When [tex]\( x = 2, y = 36 \)[/tex]
3. When [tex]\( x = 3, y = 216 \)[/tex]
4. When [tex]\( x = 5, y = 7776 \)[/tex]

We can see that the [tex]\( y \)[/tex]-values increase rapidly. Given the exponential growth pattern suggested by the values,

allows us to derive a formula for [tex]\( y \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ y = 6 \cdot 6^{(x - 1)} \][/tex]

Let's verify this:

- For [tex]\( x = 1 \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ y = 6 \cdot 6^{(1 - 1)} = 6 \cdot 6^0 = 6 \cdot 1 = 6 \][/tex]

- For [tex]\( x = 2 \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ y = 6 \cdot 6^{(2 - 1)} = 6 \cdot 6^1 = 6 \cdot 6 = 36 \][/tex]

- For [tex]\( x = 3 \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ y = 6 \cdot 6^{(3 - 1)} = 6 \cdot 6^2 = 6 \cdot 36 = 216 \][/tex]

- For [tex]\( x = 5 \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ y = 6 \cdot 6^{(5 - 1)} = 6 \cdot 6^4 = 6 \cdot 1296 = 7776 \][/tex]

Now, to find the value of [tex]\( y \)[/tex] when [tex]\( x = 4 \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ y = 6 \cdot 6^{(4 - 1)} = 6 \cdot 6^3 = 6 \cdot 216 = 1296 \][/tex]

Thus, the missing number in the table is [tex]\( \boxed{1296} \)[/tex].