1. **State the problem:** We are given the number of online customers for each quarter and need to find an equation that models the number of customers $C$ in terms of the quarter number $N$. 2. **Analyze the data:** The table shows: | Quarter (N) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |-------------|---|---|---|----|----|-----|------| | Customers (C) | 240 | 960 | 3840 | 15360 | 61440 | 245760 | 983040 | 3. **Identify the pattern:** Each quarter, the number of customers multiplies by 4: $$\frac{960}{240} = 4, \quad \frac{3840}{960} = 4, \quad \text{and so on.}$$ 4. **Write the general formula for exponential growth:** $$C = C_0 \times r^{N-1}$$ where $C_0$ is the initial number of customers at quarter 1, $r$ is the growth rate per quarter, and $N$ is the quarter number. 5. **Substitute known values:** $$C_0 = 240, \quad r = 4$$ So, $$C = 240 \times 4^{N-1}$$ 6. **Verify the formula:** For $N=3$, $$C = 240 \times 4^{3-1} = 240 \times 4^2 = 240 \times 16 = 3840$$ which matches the table. **Final answer:** $$\boxed{C = 240 \times 4^{N-1}}$$ This equation models the number of customers $C$ after $N$ quarters.