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# If (5/4)^(-n) < 16^(-1). What is the least integer value of n?

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If (5/4)^(-n) < 16^(-1). What is the least integer value of n? [#permalink]

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01 Aug 2017, 01:06
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If $$(\frac{5}{4})^{-n} < 16^{-1}$$. What is the least integer value of n?

A. 12
B. 13
C. 14
D. 15
E. 16
[Reveal] Spoiler: OA

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If (5/4)^(-n) < 16^(-1). What is the least integer value of n? [#permalink]

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01 Aug 2017, 06:07
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Bunuel wrote:
If $$(\frac{5}{4})^{-n} < 16^{-1}$$. What is the least integer value of n?

A. 12
B. 13
C. 14
D. 15
E. 16

if you counter such Q, an approximation way would be..

$$(\frac{5}{4})^{-n} < 16^{-1}..........(\frac{4*2}{5*2})^n<\frac{1}{16}......2^{3n}*16<10^n....2^{3n+4}<10^n$$

now$$2^{10}=1024$$ and $$10^3 = 1000$$ ..nearly equal so lets convert ..

If you could get some even higher close values, the answer will be even closer
$$1024^{\frac{3n+4}{10}}<1000^{\frac{n}{3}}$$...

so $$\frac{3n+4}{10}<\frac{n}{3}........9n+12<10n....n>12$$
next integer value after 12 is 13....
so ans 13
B
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If (5/4)^(-n) < 16^(-1). What is the least integer value of n? [#permalink]

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03 Sep 2017, 11:39
chetan2u wrote:
Bunuel wrote:
If $$(\frac{5}{4})^{-n} < 16^{-1}$$. What is the least integer value of n?

A. 12
B. 13
C. 14
D. 15
E. 16

if you counter such Q, an approximation way would be..

$$(\frac{5}{4})^{-n} < 16^{-1}..........(\frac{4*2}{5*2})^n<\frac{1}{16}......2^{3n}*16<10^n....2^{3n+4}<10^n$$

now$$2^{10}=1024$$ and $$10^3 = 1000$$ ..nearly equal so lets convert ..

If you could get some even higher close values, the answer will be even closer
$$1024^{\frac{3n+4}{10}}<1000^{\frac{n}{3}}$$...

so $$\frac{3n+4}{10}<\frac{n}{3}........9n+12<10n....n>12$$
next integer value after 12 is 13....
so ans 13
B

The options are so close, How can one say that on taking 1024 ~ 1000 , one will get correct answer..
one might get n>13 or n>11 instead of n>12 in some other question of this type....

We need to find some other approach..
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Re: If (5/4)^(-n) < 16^(-1). What is the least integer value of n? [#permalink]

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25 Sep 2017, 09:54
I would say taking logs on both sides would be better.

On taking logs, we get

(n+2)*log4 < n*log 5

=> (n+2)/n < log5/log4

Now log5 = 1-log2 = 1-.301 =.699
log4 = 2*log2 =0.602

=> (n+2)/n = 0.699/0.602

Putting n=12, we know that the inequality is not satisfied. Because LHS = 7/6 whereas RHS is less than 7/6 (0.699/0.602 is less than 0.7/0.6). Hence next integral value of n is correct

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Re: If (5/4)^(-n) < 16^(-1). What is the least integer value of n? [#permalink]

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25 Sep 2017, 11:02
Bunuel wrote:
If $$(\frac{5}{4})^{-n} < 16^{-1}$$. What is the least integer value of n?

A. 12
B. 13
C. 14
D. 15
E. 16

The question stem can be written as $$(\frac{4}{5})^n < \frac{1}{16}$$

Now we know that $$16 = 2^4$$ so if we can make $$(\frac{4}{5})$$ some approximate form of $$2$$, then our job might become easier.

$$(\frac{4}{5})^3 = \frac{64}{125}$$ this is slightly than greater $$\frac{1}{2}$$

Hence $$(\frac{4}{5})^3 = \frac{1}{2}$$,

and $$(\frac{1}{2})^4 = \frac{1}{16}$$

Substitute the value of $$\frac{1}{2}$$ to get $$(\frac{4}{5})^{12}$$ but this will be greater than $$\frac{1}{16}$$.

Hence to make it lower we will have to multiply $$(\frac{4}{5})^{12}$$ by a lower value $$\frac{4}{5}$$

Therefore $$(\frac{4}{5})^{13}<\frac{1}{16}$$

So $$n=13$$

Option B

P.S: This is a very tough question and probably beyond the scope of GMAT. Unless you have solved similar questions, it will be very difficult to solve it in real GMAT within 2 minutes.

Bunuel Do you have repository of similar kind of questions?

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Re: If (5/4)^(-n) < 16^(-1). What is the least integer value of n? [#permalink]

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25 Sep 2017, 11:11
One method (gmat style )
(5/4)^(−n)<16^(−1)
(4/5)^n<1/2^4
so left side should be less than 1/2

we raise to cube
(4/5)^3=64/125 and multiply right side by 64 just to compare, makes 64/128, so the inequality is still not satisfied but just a bit, it's clear that if multiply the left side by 4/5 one more time the inequality will be respected
But as we have 4 power on the right 1/2^4
then for the left
(4/5)^12 *4/5 which is 13

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Re: If (5/4)^(-n) < 16^(-1). What is the least integer value of n? [#permalink]

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25 Sep 2017, 14:05
And another approach for math geeks, solving through logs, I always recommend to use ln (natural log) just memorize 6 numbers by heart (ln for 2 3 5 6 7 and 10) you will cove most of that kind of questions https://gmatclub.com/forum/which-of-the-following-is-the-largest-163644.html#p1930561
(5/4)^(−n)<16^(−1)
ln (4/5)^(n)< ln 2^(−4)
as per log property
n *ln (4/5)< -4 * ln 2
another property
n *(ln 4 - ln5) < -4 * ln 2
n* (1.4 - 1.6) < - 4 * 0.7
n * (-0.2) < - 2.8
then
n < - 2.8/ -0.2 =>> n < 14 so 13

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Re: If (5/4)^(-n) < 16^(-1). What is the least integer value of n? [#permalink]

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03 Oct 2017, 21:07
mikemcgarry can you please explain this Magoosh question?

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Re: If (5/4)^(-n) < 16^(-1). What is the least integer value of n? [#permalink]

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05 Oct 2017, 09:20
StrugglingGmat2910 wrote:
mikemcgarry can you please explain this Magoosh question?

Dear StrugglingGmat2910,

I'm happy to respond.

My friend, this was posted as a Magoosh question, but I don't believe it's one that we still have in our Product. This is a very hard question, one that is probably best solved with math that is completely beyond the GMAT. I am going to say that you don't need to worry about this question at all for the GMAT.

Does this make sense?
Mike
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Re: If (5/4)^(-n) < 16^(-1). What is the least integer value of n? [#permalink]

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05 Oct 2017, 09:27
mikemcgarry wrote:
StrugglingGmat2910 wrote:
mikemcgarry can you please explain this Magoosh question?

Dear StrugglingGmat2910,

I'm happy to respond.

My friend, this was posted as a Magoosh question, but I don't believe it's one that we still have in our Product. This is a very hard question, one that is probably best solved with math that is completely beyond the GMAT. I am going to say that you don't need to worry about this question at all for the GMAT.

Does this make sense?
Mike

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Re: If (5/4)^(-n) < 16^(-1). What is the least integer value of n?   [#permalink] 05 Oct 2017, 09:27
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