If n is an integer and f(n) = f(n 1) n, what is the value of

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If n is an integer and f(n) = f(n 1) n, what is the value of [#permalink]

15 Jun 2011, 15:30

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If n is an integer and f(n) = f(n – 1) – n, what is the value of f (4)?

(1) f(3) = 14

(2) f(6) = -1

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Re: f(n) = f(n – 1) – n [#permalink]

15 Jun 2011, 16:16

f(4) = f(3) - 4

1) Sufficient, slot straights into above equation.

2)
f(6) = -1 = f(5) - 6
f(5) = 5 = f(4) - 5
f(4) = 10

Sufficient

D.
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If n is an integer and f(n) = f(n – 1) – n, what is the [#permalink]

02 Aug 2012, 15:58

If n is an integer and f(n) = f(n – 1) – n, what is the value of f (4)?

(1) f(3) = 14

(2) f(6) = -1

Last edited by Bunuel on 02 Aug 2012, 16:25, edited 1 time in total.

Moved to DS subforum and renamed the topic.

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Re: If n is an integer and f(n) = f(n – 1) – n, what is the [#permalink]

02 Aug 2012, 16:30

If n is an integer and f(n) = f(n – 1) – n, what is the value of f (4)?

(1) f(3) = 14. Since f(n)=f(n-1)-n then: f(4)=f(3)-4 --> f(4)=14-4=10. Sufficient.

(2) f(6) = -1. The same way as above f(6)=f(5)-6 --> -1=f(5)-6 --> f(5)=5 --> f(5)=f(4)-5 --> 5=f(4)-5 --> f(4)=10. Sufficient.

Answer: D.

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Re: f(n) = f(n – 1) – n [#permalink]

17 Dec 2012, 21:55

pike wrote:

f(4) = f(3) - 4

1) Sufficient, slot straights into above equation.

2)
f(6) = -1 = f(5) - 6
f(5) = 5 = f(4) - 5
f(4) = 10

Sufficient

D.

I don't understand what you mean slot straights into above equation. When I simplify the f(3) I get -1 and for f(6) I also get -1. Is that why both are sufficient? I don't understand why Statement 1 the f(3)=14. What I supposed to do something else?

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Re: f(n) = f(n – 1) – n [#permalink]

17 Dec 2012, 22:25

dcastan2 wrote:

pike wrote:

f(4) = f(3) - 4

1) Sufficient, slot straights into above equation.

2)
f(6) = -1 = f(5) - 6
f(5) = 5 = f(4) - 5
f(4) = 10

Sufficient

D.

Hii.
See the question gives us the relation: f(n)=f(n-1)-n and the question asks the value of f(4).

As per the above relation, if we expand f(4), we get: f(4)=f(3)-4---------[a]

Now coming to the statements:
Statement 1 gives us direct f(3). We just have to put in equation [a].
Statement 2 gives us f(6)=-1.
f(6) can be expanded as f(5)-6. Moreover f(5) can be expanded as f(4)-5. Put this value of f(5) in the former one. It will become f(6)=f(4)-9, which will gives the value of f(4) as 10.

Both are sufficient.
Hope that helps.
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Re: f(n) = f(n – 1) – n [#permalink]

18 Dec 2012, 00:14

Marcab wrote:

dcastan2 wrote:

pike wrote:

f(4) = f(3) - 4

1) Sufficient, slot straights into above equation.

2)
f(6) = -1 = f(5) - 6
f(5) = 5 = f(4) - 5
f(4) = 10

Sufficient

D.

Yes, thank you! But we don't use the =14 anywhere? What's the purpose of it then?

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Re: If n is an integer and f(n) = f(n 1) n, what is the value of [#permalink]

18 Dec 2012, 00:41

In statement 1, put f(3)=14. You will get the answer as 10.
In DS, if you know that with the given information a particular question can be solved then rather than trying to find the exact answer, move to the next statement.
In the explanation, I did the same.

Hope that helps.
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Re: f(n) = f(n – 1) – n [#permalink]

18 Dec 2012, 00:46

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The equation says f(n) = f(n-1) - n
(1) states f(3)=14 and we need to find f(4)
so as per the equation, f(4) = f(4-1) -4
==> f(4)=f(3)-4
==> f(4)=14-4=10
So (1) is sufficient...Hope explanation for (2) is already clear. And this expalins the use of f(3)=14 as well.
So the answer is D
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Re: f(n) = f(n – 1) – n [#permalink]

18 Dec 2012, 03:13

dcastan2 wrote:

pike wrote:

f(4) = f(3) - 4

1) Sufficient, slot straights into above equation.

2)
f(6) = -1 = f(5) - 6
f(5) = 5 = f(4) - 5
f(4) = 10

Sufficient

D.

Merging similar topics.

Solution is given here: if-n-is-an-integer-and-f-n-f-n-1-n-what-is-the-value-of-136745.html#p1109873
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Re: f(n) = f(n – 1) – n [#permalink] 18 Dec 2012, 03:13

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If n is an integer and f(n) = f(n 1) n, what is the value of

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If n is an integer and f(n) = f(n 1) n, what is the value of

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