Problem Solving

djsir007 wrote:Of the following, which is least?

a. 1/0.2
b. (0.2)^2
c. 0.02
d. 0.2/2
e. 0.2

We can write most of these in terms of 0.2

EDIT
A. 1/0.2 = greater than 1
B. (0.2)^2 = (0.2)(0.2)
C. 0.02 = (1/10)(0.2)
D. 0.2/2 = (1/2)(0.2)
E. 0.2 = (1)(0.2)

Answer = C

Cheers,
Brent

theCodeToGMAT wrote:[A] greater than 1
[B} Less than 1
[C] Less than 1
[D] Less than 1
[E] Less than 1

ANSWER [spoiler]{A}[/spoiler]

^^ Winner. Don't bother calculating these things.

If you aren't thinking in these terms, then notice what happens when you do the calculations. If you do this problem, finish it, and still don't realize immediately that (last four choices) < 1 < first choice, then there's no benefit -- the problem is a waste of time.

EDIT: You need more than just this, because the question wants the smallest value. So you must be at least as un-lazy as the following:
(A) More than 0.2
(B) Less than 0.2
(C) Less than 0.2
(D) Less than 0.2
(E) Less than 0.2

So you still need to evaluate B/C/D.

--

To the original poster: If this is an "easy one", then why did you post it? I'm confused.

Just for clarification, the question is asking for the smallest (least) value, not the greatest value.

Cheers,
Brent

Thanks for the heads-up, Brent. Made some edits.

wakk0 wrote:Hey Brent,

The answer here is C. You made a slight error. Answer choice C should be (1)(.02) which is .02. Answer choice B is (.2)(.2) = .04

Edit: I can't type answer choices correctly!

Good catch - thanks!
I edited my earlier post

Cheers,
Brent