pre_text: Product Warranties The following table summarizes accrued warranty activities for fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017: In some cases, we may offer customers the option to purchase extended warranties to ensure protection beyond the standard warranty period. In those circumstances, the warranty is considered a distinct service and we account for the extended warranty as a performance obligation and allocate a portion of the transaction price to that performance obligation. More frequently, customers do not purchase a warranty separately. In those situations, we account for the warranty as an assurance-type warranty, which provides customers with assurance that the product complies with agreed-upon specifications, and this does not represent a separate performance obligation. Such warranties are recorded separately as liabilities and presented within ‘‘accrued liabilities’’ and ‘‘other long-term liabilities’’ on our consolidated balance sheets (see Note 5. Balance Sheet Components).
table: Fiscal Year Ended
table: (In thousands) December 29, 2019 December 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
table: Balance at the beginning of the period $172,266 $181,303 $161,209
table: Accruals for warranties issued during the period 27,717 31,628 29,689
table: Settlements and adjustments during the period (61,538) (40,665) (9,595)
table: Balance at the end of the period $138,445 $172,266 $181,303
question: Analyse this data from a financial earnings document. What would be the change in balance at the beginning of the period from 2017 to 2018?