Geometric Progression?

This topic has expert replies
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 164
Joined: Tue May 12, 2015 9:06 am
Thanked: 3 times

Geometric Progression?

by oquiella » Sat Oct 31, 2015 1:10 pm
95. The sum of the terms of a geometric progression is 2047. Find the common ratio.
(1) The first and last terms of the series are 1 and 1024 respectively.
(2) Last but one term of the series is 512.


How would you approach this problem?


(arn - 1)/ (r-1) = 2047 ....(1)
Statement (1)
The first and last terms of the series are 1 and 1024 respectively.
a = 1 and arn-1 = 1024
rn-1 = 1024.....(2)
Solving (1) and (2), we can find r; SUFFICIENT
Statement (2)
Last but one term of the series is 512.
arn-2 = 512.....(3)
Even after solving (1) and (3), we will be left with 2 variables - r and n; NOT SUFFICIENT.
The correct answer is A;
statement 1 alone is suffici
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

User avatar
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

by GMATGuruNY » Sun Nov 01, 2015 3:54 am
Ignore this problem.
The GMAT does not use the term geometric progression.
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