OG'17 - A sequence of numbers a1a1, a2a2, a3a3,

fiza gupta wrote:A sequence of numbers a1,a2,a3,…. is defined as follows: a1 = 3, a2 = 5, and every term in the sequence after a2 is the product of all terms in the sequence preceding it, e.g, a3=(a1)(a2) and a4=(a1)(a2)(a3). If an=t and n>2, what is the value of a(n+2) in terms of t?

A) 4t
B) t^2
C) t^3
D) t^4
E) t^8

OA:D

We are given a sequence in which every term in the sequence after a2 is the product of all terms in the sequence preceding it. So:

a(n+1) = a(n) x a(n-1) x ... x a(2) x a(1)

By the same reasoning, we have:

a(n) = a(n-1) x a(n-2) x ... x a(2) x a(1)

We can substitute a(n-1) x... x a(2) x a(1) in the a(n+1) equation for a(n), so we have a(n+1) = a(n) x a(n).

However, recall that a(n) = t, so a(n+1) = t x t = t^2. By the same reasoning, we have:

a(n+2) = a(n+1) x a(n) x a(n-1) x ... x a(2) x a(1)

However, a(n) x a(n-1) x .... x a(2) x a(1) = a(n+1) and a(n+1) = t^2, so:

a(n+2) = a(n+1) x a(n+1) = t^2 x t^2 = t^4

Answer: D

fiza gupta wrote:A sequence of numbers a1,a2,a3,…. is defined as follows: a1 = 3, a2 = 5, and every term in the sequence after a2 is the product of all terms in the sequence preceding it, e.g, a3=(a1)(a2) and a4=(a1)(a2)(a3). If an=t and n>2, what is the value of a(n+2) in terms of t?

A) 4t
B) t^2
C) t^3
D) t^4
E) t^8

OA:D

Let's list a few terms....
term1 = 3
term2 = 5
term3 = (term2)(term1) = (5)(3) = 15 (term2)(term1)
term4 = (term3)(term2)(term1) = (15)(5)(3) = 15²
term5 = (term4)(term3)(term2)(term1) = (15²)(15)(5)(3) = 15�
term6 = (term5)(term4)(term3)(term2)(term1) = (15�)(15²)(15)(5)(3) = 15�

At this point, we can see the pattern.

Continuing, we get....
term7 = 15^16
term8 = 15^32

Each term in the sequence is equal to the SQUARE of term before it

If term_n =t and n > 2, what is the value of term_n+2 in terms of t?
So, term_n = t
term_n+1 = t²
term_n+2 = t�

Answer: D

Cheers,
Brent

Hi All,

While this is a wordy sequence question, the information is given to us in a logical order, so we just have to get the information on the pad and follow the ‘instructions’ of the sequence to answer the specific question that is asked.

We’re told the first two terms of a sequence:
1st term = 3
2nd term = 5

and then we’re told that each term after the 2nd term is the PRODUCT of ALL of the terms that came before it…
3rd term = (3)(5) = 15
4th term = (3)(5)(15) = (15)(15) = 225
5th term = (3)(5)(15)(225) = (225)(225)
Etc.

We’re told that the Nth term = T and N > 2. We’re asked for the value of the (N+2)th term in this sequence IN TERMS OF T. Now that we know how the sequence works, we can use TEST IT to get to the correct answer.

IF…. N = 3, then we already know that the 3rd term = T = (3)(5) = 15. We’re asked for the value of the (3+2) = 5th term, which we know is (225)^2.

225 = (15)(15); by extension… (225)^2 = (15)(15)(15)(15) = 15^4. The value of T is 15, so 15^4 is the equivalent of T^4.

Final Answer: D

GMAT Assassins aren’t born, they’re made,
Rich