What is the answer and what are the steps to solving it?

(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

answer: first option i.e. 'a' is correct.

step-by-step explanation:

since we have given that

number of minutes to wrap a small gift box = 4 minutes

we need to find the number of gifts to be wrapped in 5 minutes

since there is a direct variation, as the number of minutes will increase with   number of gifts to be wrapped.

so, let the number of gifts to be wrapped in 5 minutes be x.

so, it becomes,

hence, first option 'a'   is correct.