1. The shifting operator $E$ is defined such that $E f(x) = f(x+1)$. For example, if $f(x) = x^2$, then $E f(x) = (x+1)^2$. 2. To find the missing term in Table 1(b), we use the given values: $x$: 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 $y$: 39, 85, ?, 151, 264, 388 We can check if $y$ follows a pattern by differences: First differences: $85 - 39 = 46$, $? - 85$, $151 - ?$, $264 - 151 = 113$, $388 - 264 = 124$ Second differences between known first differences: $113 - 46 = 67$, $124 - 113 = 11$ Since the differences are irregular, try linear interpolation between $y$ at $x=18$ and $x=22$: Slope $m = \frac{151 - 85}{22 - 18} = \frac{66}{4} = 16.5$ Estimate $y$ at $x=20$: $$y = 85 + 16.5 \times (20 - 18) = 85 + 33 = 118$$ So, the missing term is $118$. Final answer: The missing term in the table is $118$.