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!
5-Day Free Trial
5-day free, full-access trial TTP
Available with Beat the GMAT members only code
MORE DETAILS
In a sequence of 40 numbers, each term, except for the first
This topic has expert replies
GMAT/MBA Expert
-
Brent@GMATPrepNow
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 16207
- Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm
- Location: Vancouver, BC
- Thanked: 5254 times
- Followed by:1268 members
- GMAT Score:770
Notice that each term is 7 less than the term before it.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
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
