Live GMAT classes with Target Test Prep start Nov 21 and Nov 22. First class free.

See classes
Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 winner: Target Test Prep, #1 Test Prep

Target Test Prep was voted #1 Best Test Prep in the 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards.

★★★★★5.0563 reviews
GMATLiveTeachStarts Nov 22
Josh Braslow, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE CLASSES

Get Ready for GMAT Test Day Faster with Live Online Classes

with Josh Braslow, 20+ years in test prep

Nov 22 · Josh Braslow
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Attend the first class for free
  • Every class is recorded, so you never fall behind
View classes & enroll
Limited seats availableTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeachOnDemandStart anytime
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Target Test Prep EA OnDemand

Self-paced EA prep. Study on your schedule.

EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

with

165+ EA score guarantee
$05-day trial no automatic billing
Schedule
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll Start free 5-day trial
Limited cohort · enrollment openTrial includes full course accessTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemandStart anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions
Start free 5-day trial
Read 563 reviewsTarget Test Prep

Fractions (/ Factorials?) Problem

Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Subscribe topic
Previous Topic Next Topic
User avatar
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 14
Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 10:22 pm
GMAT Score:660
by abduabd » Thu Feb 19, 2015 10:14 am
A friend mine who is also studying for the GMAT posted this problem in a WhatsApp group the other day. I have tried to solve this using all the tricks I know, but have come up stuck. I recognize that the denominator is essentially just consecutive [(n! - (n-3)!], but I cannot get any farther than that.

I have concluded that it cannot be a legitimate GMAT question, but, it is still bugging me that I cannot apply any of the tricks that I have learned so far to solve it.

Any ideas?

Image
Top
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 16206
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pmFollowed by: 1268 members
Location: Vancouver, BC
Thanked: 5254 times
GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Thu Feb 19, 2015 10:17 am
Do you have the answer choices available?

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image
Top
Join the discussion
User avatar
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 14
Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 10:22 pm
GMAT Score:660

by abduabd » Thu Feb 19, 2015 11:08 am
Unfortunately, Brent. I don't and neither does he. Does this look like a concept that could be tested on the GMAT, though? Is this something that can be simplified and solved in under two minutes AND without a calculator?
Top
Join the discussion

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 16206
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pmFollowed by: 1268 members
Location: Vancouver, BC
Thanked: 5254 times
GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Thu Feb 19, 2015 11:15 am
I see.

If there were answer choices, it might be possible to find a RANGE that the sum would fall into. With any luck, only one of the answer choices would fall within the calculated range.

Otherwise, I don't see a nice (GMAT-friendly) solution. I might be missing something though. Mitch?

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image
Top
Join the discussion
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pmFollowed by: 1906 members
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Thu Feb 19, 2015 11:20 am
The posted problem seems beyond the scope of the GMAT.
A similar problem that is more GMAT-friendly:

https://www.beatthegmat.com/sum-of-the-f ... 76078.html
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Top
Join the discussion

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 16206
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pmFollowed by: 1268 members
Location: Vancouver, BC
Thanked: 5254 times
GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Thu Feb 19, 2015 11:23 am
Here's another one with factorials: https://www.beatthegmat.com/factorial-re ... 81604.html

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image
Top
Join the discussion
User avatar
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 14
Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 10:22 pm
GMAT Score:660

by abduabd » Thu Feb 19, 2015 12:06 pm
Thanks, Mitch and Brent. I looked at the problems you linked and I am happy that I was able to solve them.
Top
Join the discussion