If 0.0abababab.... = 2/55, then what is the value of a*b?
A) 10
B) 18
C) 27
D) 36
E) 42
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Decimals
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shankar.ashwin
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Anurag@Gurome
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2/55 = (2000/55)/1000shankar.ashwin wrote:If 0.0abababab.... = 2/55, then what is the value of a*b?
Now, 2000/55 = 400/11 = 36.36...
Hence, 2/55 = (36.36...)/1000 = 0.03636...
Comparing this with the expression given, a = 3 and b = 6
Therefore, a*b = 3*6 = 18
[spoiler]
The correct answer is B.[/spoiler]
Last edited by Anurag@Gurome on Sat Nov 12, 2011 4:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Another Approach:
If someone is fast enough to do the division and see the pattern they can go for the traditional approach of attacking recurring decimal problems.
--> 0.0abababab... = 2/55
--> 10*(0.0abababab...) = 0.abababab... = 20/55 .............. (1)
--> 1000*(0.0abababab...) = ab.abababab... = 2000/55 ....... (2)
Subtracting (1) from (2), ab = 1980/55 = 36
Hence, a = 3 and b = 2
Therefore, a*b = 3*6 = 18
If someone is fast enough to do the division and see the pattern they can go for the traditional approach of attacking recurring decimal problems.
--> 0.0abababab... = 2/55
--> 10*(0.0abababab...) = 0.abababab... = 20/55 .............. (1)
--> 1000*(0.0abababab...) = ab.abababab... = 2000/55 ....... (2)
Subtracting (1) from (2), ab = 1980/55 = 36
Hence, a = 3 and b = 2
Therefore, a*b = 3*6 = 18
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shankar.ashwin
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The way i did it,
2/55 = x/100
x = 200/55 = 40/11 = 3.6363..
Wasnt sure if it was the fastest way to do it.
2/55 = x/100
x = 200/55 = 40/11 = 3.6363..
Wasnt sure if it was the fastest way to do it.
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user123321
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2/55 = 4/110 = 36/990 = 3.6/99 = 0.0363636
so 3*6 = 18
user123321
so 3*6 = 18
user123321
Just started my preparation 
Want to do it right the first time.
Want to do it right the first time.
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Abhishek009
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2/55 => 2/( 5 * 11 )shankar.ashwin wrote:If 0.0abababab.... = 2/55, then what is the value of a*b?
A) 10
B) 18
C) 27
D) 36
E) 42
2/5 = 0.4
Again we have 0.4/11
We know 1/11 => 0.09090909.....{ We can memorize some key reciprocals till 1/20 for quicker calculations}
So, 0.4/11 => 0.09090909..... * 0.4 => 0.036363636363636.....
Here a = 3 and b = 6
So , a * b => 3 * 6 = 18...
Abhishek
