If n is a positive integer, is (1/10)^n

Question

If n is a positive integer, is (\frac{1}{10})^n < 0.01? (1) n > 2 (2) (\frac{1}{10})^{n-1} < 0.1 First post here, so I hope I got the format right. I understand the OG explanation to this problem, but I tried taking a slightly alternate route and am coming up with the wrong answer. It's a rather simple one, but hope someone can shed some light on to where I've gone wrong. I included the OG explanation as well as my own in the spoiler. OG Explanation: Manipulate both sides to be expressed as powers of 10. \frac{1}{10}^n < 0.01 (10^{-1})^n < 10^{-2} 10^{-n} < 10^{-2} n > 2 1) n > 2 . SUFFICIENT 2) \frac{1}{10}^{n-1} < 0.1 (10^{-1})^{n-1} < 10^{-1} 10^{-n+1} < 10^{-1} -n+1 < -1 n > 2 SUFFICIENT My slightly modified solution for statement 2 was to first manipulate the 0.1 on the right side of the inequality to become a fraction and to leave the left side as a fraction (my first instinct is to see that 0.01 is the same as 1/10). You would have: \frac{1}{10}^{n-1} < \frac{1}{10}^1 n-1 < 1 n < 2 As you can see, I get an opposite answer. I know this is super simple, but where am I going wrong?

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

It's not about switching sign. If you have a problem with fractions in powers, then manipulate to get rid of the them: (\frac{1}{10})^{n-1} < \frac{1}{10} --> \frac{1}{10^{n-1}}< \frac{1}{10} --> cross-multiply: 10<10^{n-1} --> 1 n>2 . OR: (\frac{1}{10})^{n-1} < \frac{1}{10} --> (10^{-1})^{n-1}<10^{-1} --> 10^{1-n}<10^{-1} --> 1-n<-1 --> n>2 . Hope it helps.

Bunuel · Answer

Welcome to GMAT Club. Below is an answer to your question. From (\frac{1}{10})^{n-1} < (\frac{1}{10})^1 since the base, 1/10, is a fraction in the range (0,1) then it should be n-1>1 . For example: (\frac{1}{10})^{2} < (\frac{1}{10})^1 --> 2>1 . Hope it helps.

pavanpuneet · Answer

Hi Bunuel,

I actually landed up doing in the exact same way as tkaelle did. I understand what you mentioned .. however, is there any rule because I am sure I might up land up doing the same in the exam if I do not understand why we switch the signs/ or why cant we manipulate the fraction 1/10 and continue?

Thank you.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi All,

This DS question is essentially about arithmetic rules (decimals and exponents). It can be solved conceptually or you solve it by TESTing VALUES.

We're told that N is a POSITIVE INTEGER. We're asked (1/10)^N < 0.01 This is a YES/NO question

Fact 1: N > 2

IF....
N = 3
(1/10)^3 = 1/1000 = .001 and the answer to the question is YES

N = 4
(1/10)^4 = 1/10,000 = .0001 and the answer to the question is YES

As N gets bigger, the resulting decimal point gets smaller and the answer to the question is ALWAYS YES.
Fact 1 is SUFFICIENT

Fact 2: (1/10)^(N-1) < 0.1

Here, we have an interesting "restriction" - we can only use certain values for N....

IF....
N = 1
(1/10)^0 = 1 BUT this does NOT fit with the given information in Fact 2, so we CANNOT use this TEST CASE.

IF....
N = 2
(1/10)^1 = .1 BUT this also does NOT fit with the given information in Fact 2 EITHER.

This means that N CANNOT be 1 or 2. Since it has to be a POSITIVE INTEGER and we already have proof of what happens when N > 2 (the answer to the question is ALWAYS YES), we can stop working.
Fact 2 is SUFFICIENT

Final Answer:

Show Spoiler

D

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

believer700 · Answer

The question says that n is any positive number.

So when I use n=2 in the second statement then both the equations become equal and the equality fails i.e 0.1<0.1 doesn't hold,

Similarly when i use n=1, then 1<0.1 again a different answer
and when n=3, then it satisfies.

So how come answer is D??

I know i am doing something wrong.

Would hope to have a reasoning which can clarify where i am going wrong.

TIA

Would hope to have a reasoning which can clarify where i am going wrong. TIA

Harley1980 · Answer

Hello  believer700

You should use information not only from task but from statement too. 
When you use  n = 1  you break condition of second statement  (\frac{1}{10})^{(n-1)} <0.1  and this mean that you can't use such value for  n 
So you should  combine  conditions from task and statement.

This mean that you can take only those values for  n  that will satisfy condition of task and statement.

So when  n = 1  then it will be  (\frac{1}{10})^{(1-1)} <0.1 ;  \frac{1}{1}<0.1 ; not possible

when  n = 2  then it will be  (\frac{1}{10})^{(2-1)} <0.1 ;  \frac{1}{10}<0.1 ; not possible

when  n = 3  then it will be  (\frac{1}{10})^{(3-1)} <0.1 ;  \frac{1}{10}<0.1 ; possible
So  n  should be at least  3

EgmatQuantExpert · Answer

Dear believer700 It's good that you're being inquisitive about your mistakes. Analyzing the mistake you make once ensures that you don't ever make it again. :-D

The part that you did wrong here that you considered only one piece of information about n: that n is a positive integer (this is given in the ques statement) So, you thought that you could take n = 1 or 2. And then, got confused when these values of n did not satisfy the information given in Statements 1 and 2. The correct way of talking about n is: n is a positive integer such that (1/10)^(n-1) <0. (info in St. 2) OR n is a positive integer such that n > 2 (info in St. 1) So, the possible values of n will be those that satisfy: i) The information given in question statement AND ii) The information given in Statements 1 and 2 I hope this clarifies your doubt!

- Japinder

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Here is my take:

We are given that n is a positive integer and need to determine whether (1/10)^n < 0.01. We can convert 0.01 to a fraction and display the question as:

Is (1/10)^n < 1/100 ?

Is (1/10)^n < (1/10)^2 ?

Using the negative exponent rule, we can take the reciprocal of our bases and switch the signs of the exponents.

Is 10^-n < 10^-2 ?

Because the bases are now the same, we equate the exponents.

Is -n < -2 ?

Is n > 2 ?

Statement One Alone:

n > 2

We see that statement one directly answers the question. We can eliminate answer choices B, C, and E.

Statement Two Alone:

(1/10)^(n-1) < 0.1

We can simplify the inequality in statement two.

(1/10)^(n-1) < 0.1

(1/10)^(n-1) < (1/10)^1

Using the negative exponent rule, we can take the reciprocal of our bases and switch the signs of the exponents.

10^-(n-1) < 10^-1

The bases are now equal, so we can equate the exponents.

-(n – 1) < -1

n – 1 > 1

n > 2

We see that n is greater than 2. Statement two alone is sufficient to answer the question.

Answer: D

ameyaprabhu · Answer

I had a somewhat similar approach for statement 2, but I landed up with an answer contradicting 1.

I considered 0.1 as 1/10

so then the equation is: n-1 < 1 (because the base is the same i.e. 1/10)

therefore n < 2...where am I going wrong?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi ameyaprabhu,

If you choose to 'convert' the numbers into decimals, then that's fine, but you still have to remember how the rules of math 'work'

Which number is bigger: (1/10)^1 or (1/10)^2? WHY is that the case?

Since we're working with an inequality, we're bound by the rule that one value MUST be bigger than the other. If you're ever unsure about an 'algebraic' approach that you're using, you can easily verify whether you're correct or not by TESTing VALUES.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

RashedVai · Answer

If the base is same we can say Exponents are equal.
If we rephrase the prompt question, we get:
 (1/10)^n < 0.01
= (1/10)^n < (1/100)
= (1/10)^n < (1/10)^2
= n < 2  Bunuel

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi RashedVai,

When dealing with exponents, you have to be careful about your 'assumptions' - and ultimately you still have to remember how the rules of math 'work.' The general pattern that you describe is SOMETIMES true (and it's certainly true when raising positive integers that are GREATER THAN 1), but it's not always true...

What if the base is equal to "1"....? What's bigger: 1^1 or 1^2? Since the base is 1, those 2 values are the SAME.

When raising a POSITIVE FRACTION to different exponents, what's the relationship in the resulting numbers....?

Which number is bigger: (1/10)^1 or (1/10)^2? WHY is that the case (and which number is bigger?)?

Since we're working with an inequality, we're bound by the rule that one value MUST be bigger than the other. If you're ever unsure about an 'algebraic' approach that you're using, you can easily verify whether you're correct or not by TESTing VALUES.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

dabral · Answer

I am no longer active on GMAT Club.

LaveenaPanchal · Answer

is (1/10)^n < 0.01 1/10^n < 1/10^2 10^n > 10^2 Is n > 2 Stmt 1. n > 2. Sufficient Stmt 2 (1/10)^n-1 < 0.1 1/10 ^ n-1 < 1/10^1 10^n-1 > 10^1 n-1>1 n>2. Sufficient Answer is D.

bedwal · Answer

So, first we simply the equation given in the question.
(1/10)^n <0.01?

which is (0.1)^n < 0.01?

This situation will only be possible when n >2.

So, let's find this out.

(a) n>2

We want n>2 and the option also says the same. So sufficient.

(b) (1/10)^n−1 < 0.1

FOr this statement to be true, n >2 coz only than this will be possible.

n=3

(0.1)^3-1 < 0.1
(0.1)^2 < 0.1
(0.01) < 0.1

So, sufficient.

D is the answer.

Elite097 · Answer

If the base is same we can say Exponents are equal.
If we rephrase the prompt question, we get:
(1/10)^n < 0.01
= (1/10)^n < (1/100)
= (1/10)^n < (1/10)^2
= n < 2  avigutman

avigutman · Answer

You have to think about what's happening to the value of the base when you start multiplying it by itself over and over again,  Elite097 . There are no "rules" here, just logic. If your base is (1/10), and you start multiplying it by (1/10) over and over again, you're going to lost 90% of your distance from zero each time you multiply (this is always true:  any  value that you multiply by (1/10) will lose 90% of its distance from zero).
Please let me know what follow-up questions you may have.

bumpbot · Answer

Hello from the GMAT Club BumpBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.

If n is a positive integer, is (1/10)^n < 0.01?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Data Sufficiency (DS) Questions

If n is a positive integer, is (1/10)^n < 0.01?

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards