Answer: The change in the predicted thickness of the ice is -2 or the thickness of ice decreases by 2.
Step-by-step explanation:
Given: The predicted thickness of the ice covering a certain pond in January is given by the formula,
[tex]T=(x-1)r-2p[/tex] where T is the thickness in centimeters.
If the quantity p increases by 1, then the predicted thickness of the ice covering a certain pond is given by the formula
[tex]T'=(x-1)r-2(p+1)[/tex]
The change in the predicted thickness of the ice is give by:-
[tex]T'-T=(x-1)r-2(p+1)-((x-1)r-2p)\\=(x-1)r-2p-2-(x-1)r+2p\\=-2[/tex]
Hence, the change in the predicted thickness of the ice is -2 or the thickness of ice decreases by 2.