To predict the number of tacks the electromagnet with 48 coils will pick up, we can analyze the given data to find a pattern or trend in the relationship between the number of coils and the number of tacks picked up.
Here are the results provided:
- 12 coils → 4 tacks
- 24 coils → 9 tacks
- 36 coils → 13 tacks
- 48 coils → ? tacks
Next, let's look for a pattern in the increase of the number of tacks per increase of coils:
- From 12 coils to 24 coils (increase of 12 coils): 4 tacks to 9 tacks (increase of 5 tacks)
- From 24 coils to 36 coils (increase of 12 coils): 9 tacks to 13 tacks (increase of 4 tacks)
- From 36 coils to 48 coils (increase of 12 coils): The pattern seems to show a decreasing return on increase in number of tacks.
To estimate the number of tacks at 48 coils, we notice that the increment in tacks is reducing (from 5 to 4). The last increment (9 to 13) is +4 tacks. If we follow the trend of reducing increments, we can expect the next increment (from 13) to be smaller than 4.
A reasonable estimate can be assuming an increment of about 3 tacks at 48 coils:
13 tacks + 3 tacks = 16 tacks.
Thus, the best prediction for the number of tacks the electromagnet with 48 coils will pick up is 16 tacks.