For any integer k greater than 1

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vikramveer: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 30; Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2010 9:00 am; Thanked: 1 times

For any integer k greater than 1

by vikramveer » Wed May 26, 2010 5:22 am

For any integer k greater than 1, the symbol k* denotes the product of all the fractions of
the form 1/t, where t is an integer between 1 and k, inclusive. What is the value of 5*/4*?

A. 5
B. 4/5
C. 5/4
D. 1/4
E. 1/5

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving | Wed May 26, 2010 5:22 am

thephoenix: Legendary Member; Posts: 1560; Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 2:38 am; Thanked: 137 times; Followed by:5 members

by thephoenix » Wed May 26, 2010 5:31 am

imo e

5*=1*1/2*1/3*1/4*1/5
4*=1*1/2*1/3*1/4
5*/4*=1/5

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tpr-becky: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 509; Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2010 1:08 pm; Location: Irvine, CA; Thanked: 199 times; Followed by:85 members; GMAT Score:750

by tpr-becky » Wed May 26, 2010 11:05 am

This type of problem requires understanding the instructions - 5* means 1/5(1/4)(1/3)(1/2)(1/1) and 4* means 1/4(1/3)(1/2)(1/1) - if we divide 5* by 4* then all of the fractions factor out except 1/5 - which is the answer.

Becky
Master GMAT Instructor
The Princeton Review
Irvine, CA