I was just working my way through the DS questions in the 2nd Edition Quant Review but I can´t wrap my head around the answer explanation of DS Question Number 107.
It would take too long to write down the whole answer explanation but maybe someone of you has the book and could explain the solution to me in other words?
Thanks a lot in advance!
Quant Review DS 107
This topic has expert replies
-
- Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2011 4:18 am
- Followed by:1 members
- GMATGuruNY
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 15539
- Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
- Location: New York, NY
- Thanked: 13060 times
- Followed by:1906 members
- GMAT Score:790
WRITE IT OUT UNTIL YOU SEE A PATTERN.The sequence s1, s2, s3,.....sn,...is such that Sn= (1/n) - (1/(n+1)) for all integers n>=1. If k is a positive integer, is the sum of the first k terms of the sequence greater than 9/10?
1) k > 10
2) k < 19
S(1) = 1 - 1/2
S(2) = 1/2 - 1/3
S(3) = 1/3 - 1/4
etc.
Sum of the first 3 terms:
S(1) + S(2) + S(3) = (1 - 1/2) + (1/2 - 1/3) + (1/3 - 1/4) = 1 - 1/4 = 3/4.
When the terms are added, every value except the first and the last CANCELS out.
The result is that, when n=3, the sum = n/(n+1) = 3/4.
Thus, when n=k, we can DEDUCE that the sum = k/(k+1).
Question rephrased: Is k/(k+1) > 9/10?
Statement 1: k>10.
If k=11, then the sum = k/(k+1) = 11/12, which is GREATER than 9/10.
If k=12, then the sum = k/(k+1) = 12/13, which is GREATER than both 9/10 and the preceding sum, 11/12.
As k increases, so does the sum.
Since the LEAST possible sum here = 11/12, the sum will always be GREATER than 9/10.
SUFFICIENT.
Statement 2: k<19.
As shown in statement 1, if k=11, then the sum is GREATER than 9/10.
If k=1, then the sum = k/(k+1) = 1/2, which is LESS than 9/10.
Since the sum in the first case is GREATER than 9/10 and the sum in the second case is LESS than 9/10, INSUFFICIENT.
The correct answer is A.
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
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