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

In a sequence of 40 numbers, each term, except for the first

Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Subscribe topic
Previous Topic Next Topic
Moderator
Posts: 2749
Joined: Sun Oct 29, 2017 2:08 pmFollowed by: 2 members
by AAPL » Tue Jun 26, 2018 5:55 am
Timer
00:00
Your answer
Difficulty–

right wrong

Pick an answer to see how members did

In a sequence of 40 numbers, each term, except for the first one, is 7 less than the previous term. If the greatest term in the sequence is 281, what is the smallest term in the sequence?

A. 8
B. 7
C. 1
D. 0
E. -6

The OA is A.

I think it should be A.

The greatest term is 281 which would also be the first term.

Now, we have to find the last term that is least among all.

Difference between first and last = 39*7 = 273.

So, the last term is 281 - 273 = 8.

Has anyone another strategic approach to solve this PS question? Regards!
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 » Tue Jun 26, 2018 12:34 pm
AAPL wrote:In a sequence of 40 numbers, each term, except for the first one, is 7 less than the previous term. If the greatest term in the sequence is 281, what is the smallest term in the sequence?

A. 8
B. 7
C. 1
D. 0
E. -6
Notice that each term is 7 less than the term before it.
This means the greatest term will be the first term

In other words, term1 = 281

Let's list a few terms of the sequence and look for a pattern:
term1 = 281
term2 = 281 - 7
term3 = 281 - 7 - 7 = 218 - (2)(7)
term4 = 281 - 7 - 7 - 7 = 218 - (3)(7)
term5 = 281 - 7 - 7 - 7 - 7 = 218 - (4)(7)
term6 = 281 - 7 - 7 - 7 - 7 - 7 = 218 - (5)(7)
.
.
.
term40 = 281 - 7 - 7 - 7 - 7 - 7 - 7 . . . = 281 - (39)(7)

As we can see, term40 wil be the smallest term.
So, let's evaluate term40

term40 = 281 - (39)(7)
= 281 - 273
= 8

Answer: A

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image
Top
Join the discussion