Chapter 2.2, Problem 45MS

Here we celebrate the power of algebra as a powerful way of finding unknown quantities by naming them, of expressing infinitely many relationships and connections clearly and succinctly, and of uncovering pattern and structure.

Rabbit line. A new species of rabbits has a linear breeding pattern. If you start with 2 rabbits, every year you get 5 more. Find an expression for the number of rabbits you have after t years. So, for example, at year $t=0$ we have 2 rabbits; at year $t=1$ we have 7 rabbits. How many years have passed if you have 102 rabbits? (These rabbits also have the special skill of never dying.)