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What is the integer closest to r=1/f(1)+1/f(2)+…+1/f(50)?

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by Max@Math Revolution » Wed Apr 15, 2020 8:46 pm

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[GMAT math practice question]

What is the integer closest to r=1/f(1)+1/f(2)+…+1/f(50)?

1) f(a)= $$\sqrt{a}+\sqrt{a+1}$$
2) r is an irrational number.
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Source: — Data Sufficiency |

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The first step of the VA (Variable Approach) method is to modify the original condition and the question. If we determine the value of f(x), then we can get a solution.

Condition 1)
Since f(a)= \(\sqrt{a}+\sqrt{a+1}\) ,
we have
1/f(a)=1/ \(\sqrt{a}+\sqrt{a+1}\)
= \(\frac{\left(\sqrt{a}-\sqrt{a+1}\right)}{\left(\sqrt{a}+\sqrt{a+1}\right)\left(\sqrt{a}-\sqrt{a+1}\right)}\) (multiplying both the denominator and numerator by the conjugate)
=\(\frac{\left(\sqrt{a}-\sqrt{a+1}\right)}{a-\left(a+1\right)}\) (multiplying the denominator)
= \(\frac{\left(\sqrt{a}-\sqrt{a+1}\right)}{\left(a-a-1\right)}\) (multiplying -1 through the bracket)
= \(\frac{\left(\sqrt{a}-\sqrt{a+1}\right)}{-1}\) (adding like terms)
= \(-\sqrt{a}+\sqrt{a+1}\) (dividing by -1)

Then 1/f(1)+1/f(2)+⋯+1/f(50)= \(\left(-\sqrt{1}+\sqrt{2}\right)+\left(-\sqrt{2}+\sqrt{3}\right)\) +⋯+\(\left(-\sqrt{50}+\sqrt{51}\right)=-1+\sqrt{51}\)

Since 7 < \(\sqrt{51}\) < 7.5, we have 6 < \(\sqrt{51}\-1 < 6.5 and the integer closest to r is 6.

Since condition 1) yields a unique solution, it is sufficient.

Condition 2)

Since we don’t have any specific definition of f, condition 2) does not yield a unique solution, and it is not sufficient.

Therefore, A is the answer.
Answer: A
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