BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

The sequence S is defined by \(S_n=S_{n-1}+S_{n-2}+S_{n-3}-5\) for each integer...

Expert replies
by BTGmoderatorLU » Tue Mar 17, 2020 11:50 am

Timer

00:00

Answers

A

B

C

D

E

Stats

Difficulty

Source: Manhattan Prep

The sequence S is defined by \(S_n=S_{n-1}+S_{n-2}+S_{n-3}-5\) for each integer \(n \geq 4\). If \(S_1=4, S_2=0,\) and \(S_4=-4\), what is the value of \(S_6?\)

A. -2
B. -12
C. -16
D. -20
E. -24

The OA is E
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |

BTGmoderatorLU wrote:
Tue Mar 17, 2020 11:50 am
Source: Manhattan Prep

The sequence S is defined by \(S_n=S_{n-1}+S_{n-2}+S_{n-3}-5\) for each integer \(n \geq 4\). If \(S_1=4, S_2=0,\) and \(S_4=-4\), what is the value of \(S_6?\)

A. -2
B. -12
C. -16
D. -20
E. -24

The OA is E
\(S_6=S_5+S_4+S_3-5\)

\(S_6=(S_4+S_3+S_2-5)+S_4+S_3-5\)

\(S_6=2S_4+2S_3+S_2-5-5\) ---(1)

Since \(n \geq 4\), we can apply \(S_n=S_{n-1}+S_{n-2}+S_{n-3}-5\) to get the value of \(S_3\).

So let's find out the value of \(S_3\).

From \(S_n=S_{n-1}+S_{n-2}+S_{n-3}-5\), we have

\(S_4=S_3+S_2+S_1-5\)

Plugging-in the values, we have

\(-4=S_3+0+4-5\)

\(S_3=-3\)

Coming back to equation #1.

\(S_6=2S_4+2S_3+S_2-5-5\)

\(S_6=2*-4+2*-3+0-5-5\)

\(S_6=-24\)

The correct answer: E

Hope this helps!

-Jay
_________________
Manhattan Review Test Prep

Locations: Manhattan Review Chennai | Free GMAT Practice Test | GRE Prep Hyderabad | Jayanagar GRE Coaching | and many more...

Schedule your free consultation with an experienced GMAT Prep Advisor! Click here.
Join the discussion

BTGmoderatorLU wrote:
Tue Mar 17, 2020 11:50 am
Source: Manhattan Prep

The sequence S is defined by \(S_n=S_{n-1}+S_{n-2}+S_{n-3}-5\) for each integer \(n \geq 4\). If \(S_1=4, S_2=0,\) and \(S_4=-4\), what is the value of \(S_6?\)

A. -2
B. -12
C. -16
D. -20
E. -24

The OA is E
Let's find \(S_3\)

\(S_4=S_3+S_2+S_1-5\). Substitute values in the equation.

Then \(S_3=-3\)

\(S_5=S_4+S_3+S_2-5\). No need to get the value

\(S_6=S_5+S_4+S_3-5\). Substitute \(S_5\) from above then

\(S_6=2S_4+S_3+S_2-10 = -8 - 6 +0 -10 =-24\)

Answer: E
Join the discussion

BTGmoderatorLU wrote:
Tue Mar 17, 2020 11:50 am
Source: Manhattan Prep

The sequence S is defined by \(S_n=S_{n-1}+S_{n-2}+S_{n-3}-5\) for each integer \(n \geq 4\). If \(S_1=4, S_2=0,\) and \(S_4=-4\), what is the value of \(S_6?\)

A. -2
B. -12
C. -16
D. -20
E. -24

The OA is E
To find the value of s(6), we need the values of s(5), s(4) and s(3). Since we are already given the value of s(4), we need to determine the values of s(5) and s(3).

For s(3), we have:

s(4) = s(3) + s(2) + s(1) - 5

-4 = s(3) + 0 + 4 - 5

-3 = s(3)

So now for s(5), we have:

s(5) = s(4) + s(3) + s(2) - 5

s(5) = -4 + (-3) + 0 - 5

s(5) = -12


Finally, for s(6), we have:

s(6) = s(5) + s(4) + s(3) - 5

s(6) = -12 + (-4) + (-3) - 5 = - 24

Answer: E

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder and CEO
[email protected]

Image

See why Target Test Prep is rated 5 out of 5 stars on BEAT the GMAT. Read our reviews

ImageImage
Join the discussion