A new bag of cat food weighs 18 pounds. At the end of each day, 0.5 pound of food is removed to feed the cats. Find the 30th term, and explain what it represents.

(n^3 - n)

= n(n-1)(n+1)

since it is divisible by 3 and 2 ,because it is a multiple 3 consecutive number

if, n-1 is odd then n+1 is also odd, then it is a multiple of 9

but if, n-1 is even then n+1 is also even, then it is a multiple of 4

so, largest multiple = max(9*2, 4*3) = max(18, 12) = 18

-362

step-by-step explanation:

(12)(4)+2(12)-34(12)+2(12)-3

  \/         \/         \/         \/

  48 +   24 -   408 + 24 - 3

      \   /               \   /

          72     -     432 - 3 = -363