One cut of a stick of licorice produces two pieces. Two cuts produce three pieces. Three cuts produce four pieces. (a) How many pieces are produced by five cuts and by six cuts? Assume the cuts are made in the manner shown above. 5 cuts produce 6 6 cuts produce 7 pieces pieces (b) Predict the nth term formula for the number of pieces of licorice that are produced by n cuts, made in the manner shown above, of a stick of licorice. an =