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# In a sequence of integers, each term in the first m integers is 5

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Senior PS Moderator
Joined: 26 Feb 2016
Posts: 3326
Location: India
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In a sequence of integers, each term in the first m integers is 5  [#permalink]

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28 Mar 2018, 09:17
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55% (hard)

Question Stats:

64% (03:17) correct 36% (03:00) wrong based on 52 sessions

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In a sequence of integers, each term in the first m integers is 5 greater than the previous integer. Thereafter, each integer is 2 less than the previous integer. If the first integer and the last integer in the sequence are each 50 and the number of integers in the sequence is 29, m=?

A. 7
B. 9
C. 10
D. 12
E. 15

Source: Experts Global

_________________

You've got what it takes, but it will take everything you've got

PS Forum Moderator
Status: It always seems impossible until it's done.
Joined: 16 Sep 2016
Posts: 425
GMAT 1: 740 Q50 V40
Re: In a sequence of integers, each term in the first m integers is 5  [#permalink]

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28 Mar 2018, 11:52
1
pushpitkc wrote:
In a sequence of integers, each term in the first m integers is 5 greater than the previous integer. Thereafter, each integer is 2 less than the previous integer. If the first integer and the last integer in the sequence are each 50 and the number of integers in the sequence is 29, m=?

A. 7
B. 9
C. 10
D. 12
E. 15

Source: Experts Global

The first m terms of the sequence form an increasing AP with A as 50 & d = 5

So mth term is given by A + (m - 1)*d ( formula for nth term of AP)

this is 50 +(m-1)5.

There is a second AP with the mth term of prev being it's first term hence A & d = -2.

We are given the last term of total sequence is also 50.... so we need to find the number of terms in the second AP.

mth term is 1st term, and we have 29 - m terms (since there are 29 terms in all)after that... hence 30 - m terms in all in second AP.

Hence the last term is the (30 - m)th term of 2nd AP. Applying the formula we get....

50 = A' + (n' - 1)d' .... A' is mth term from above 1st AP, d' = -2 and n' is (30 - m)

Plugging in the values:

$$50 = 50 +(m-1)5 + (30 - m - 1)*-2$$
$$(29 - m)*2 = 5m - 5$$ ....( 50's cancel and -2 term goes to the LHS)
$$58 + 5 = 7m$$
$$63 = 7m$$
$$m = 9$$

Hence Option (B) is correct.

Best,
VP
Joined: 07 Dec 2014
Posts: 1129
In a sequence of integers, each term in the first m integers is 5  [#permalink]

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Updated on: 25 Apr 2018, 14:33
pushpitkc wrote:
In a sequence of integers, each term in the first m integers is 5 greater than the previous integer. Thereafter, each integer is 2 less than the previous integer. If the first integer and the last integer in the sequence are each 50 and the number of integers in the sequence is 29, m=?

A. 7
B. 9
C. 10
D. 12
E. 15

Source: Experts Global

50+(m-1)*5=50+(29-m)*2
m=9
B

Originally posted by gracie on 28 Mar 2018, 16:54.
Last edited by gracie on 25 Apr 2018, 14:33, edited 1 time in total.
Intern
Joined: 25 Sep 2017
Posts: 3
Re: In a sequence of integers, each term in the first m integers is 5  [#permalink]

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23 Apr 2018, 23:09
pushpitkc wrote:
In a sequence of integers, each term in the first m integers is 5 greater than the previous integer. Thereafter, each integer is 2 less than the previous integer. If the first integer and the last integer in the sequence are each 50 and the number of integers in the sequence is 29, m=?

A. 7
B. 9
C. 10
D. 12
E. 15

Source: Experts Global

Bunuel

Hi Bunuel, can you please explain me this problem?

Thanks,
Nikita
PS Forum Moderator
Status: It always seems impossible until it's done.
Joined: 16 Sep 2016
Posts: 425
GMAT 1: 740 Q50 V40
Re: In a sequence of integers, each term in the first m integers is 5  [#permalink]

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23 Apr 2018, 23:39
NikitaS wrote:

Bunuel

Hi Bunuel, can you please explain me this problem?

Thanks,
Nikita

Hi NikitaS,

Can you please specify which part is troubling you? I have provided with a detailed solution as follows...

Kindly go through it once and let me know. I would be happy to help

Best,

pushpitkc wrote:
In a sequence of integers, each term in the first m integers is 5 greater than the previous integer. Thereafter, each integer is 2 less than the previous integer. If the first integer and the last integer in the sequence are each 50 and the number of integers in the sequence is 29, m=?

A. 7
B. 9
C. 10
D. 12
E. 15

Source: Experts Global

The first m terms of the sequence form an increasing AP with A as 50 & d = 5

So mth term is given by A + (m - 1)*d ( formula for nth term of AP)

this is 50 +(m-1)5.

There is a second AP with the mth term of prev being it's first term hence A & d = -2.

We are given the last term of total sequence is also 50.... so we need to find the number of terms in the second AP.

mth term is 1st term, and we have 29 - m terms (since there are 29 terms in all)after that... hence 30 - m terms in all in second AP.

Hence the last term is the (30 - m)th term of 2nd AP. Applying the formula we get....

50 = A' + (n' - 1)d' .... A' is mth term from above 1st AP, d' = -2 and n' is (30 - m)

Plugging in the values:

$$50 = 50 +(m-1)5 + (30 - m - 1)*-2$$
$$(29 - m)*2 = 5m - 5$$ ....( 50's cancel and -2 term goes to the LHS)
$$58 + 5 = 7m$$
$$63 = 7m$$
$$m = 9$$

Hence Option (B) is correct.

Best,
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 51223
Re: In a sequence of integers, each term in the first m integers is 5  [#permalink]

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23 Apr 2018, 23:46
1
pushpitkc wrote:
In a sequence of integers, each term in the first m integers is 5 greater than the previous integer. Thereafter, each integer is 2 less than the previous integer. If the first integer and the last integer in the sequence are each 50 and the number of integers in the sequence is 29, m=?

A. 7
B. 9
C. 10
D. 12
E. 15

Source: Experts Global

First, we have m integers, for which each term is 5 greater than the previous integer:
50, 55, 60, 65, 70, ..., 50 + 5(m - 1)
Notice, that the last integer in this, first, part of the sequence is $$50 + 5(m - 1)$$. $$n_{th}$$ term in the arithmetic progression (AP) is given by $$a_n=a_1+d(n-1)$$, where d is the common difference.

After those m integers, each integer is 2 less than the previous integer:
$$[50 + 5(m - 1)] - 2$$, $$[50 + 5(m - 1)] - 4$$, $$[50 + 5(m - 1)] - 6$$, ..., 50.
Notice, that since there are a total of 29 integers in the whole sequence, then the above continues for 29 - m integers. The last integer given to be 50, thus by applying the same rule for AP, we'll get $$50 = [50 + 5(m - 1) - 2] + (-2)[(29 - m) - 1]$$:

$$0 = 5m - 7 -56 + 2m$$

$$7m=63$$;

$$m=9$$.

12. Sequences

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Hope it helps.
_________________
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Joined: 25 Sep 2017
Posts: 3
Re: In a sequence of integers, each term in the first m integers is 5  [#permalink]

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24 Apr 2018, 23:08

Intern
Joined: 25 Sep 2017
Posts: 3
Re: In a sequence of integers, each term in the first m integers is 5  [#permalink]

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24 Apr 2018, 23:09
Thanks Bunuel
Re: In a sequence of integers, each term in the first m integers is 5 &nbs [#permalink] 24 Apr 2018, 23:09
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