Is f(n) f(n 1)? (1) n = 8 (2) f(n) = n - 1

Question

Is f(n) > f(n − 1)?

(1) n = 8
(2) f(n) = n - 1

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Statement 1: It tells us nothing about the function. Insufficient.
Statement 2: 
f(n) = n - 1
f(n-1) = n - 2

We have two numbers that can be compared and the relation can be found out.
SUFFICIENT

GMATinsight · Answer

Question  : Is f(n)>f(n−1)?

We need the definition of the function f(n) to answer the question

Statement 1 : n=8 
Since we have no definition of function to falculate f(n) hence 
NOT SUFFICIENT

Statement 2 : f(n) = n-1 
i.e. f(n-1) = (n-1)-1 = n-2
and (n-1) will always be less than (n-2), Hence,
SUFFICIENT

Answer: Option B

paisaj87 · Answer

1. No information about the function itself. f(n) could be more or less than f(n-1). NOT SUFFICIENT 
2. Gives us the general function. From this we have sufficient information to test the inequality. SUFFICIENT

ANSWER D

BrentGMATPrepNow · Answer

Target question :    Is f(n) > f(n−1)?

Statement 1 : n = 8   
Plug n = 8 into target question to get:  Is f(8) > f(8−1)? 
In other words,  Is f(8) > f(7)? 
We cannot answer the  target question  with certainty, because we don't know anything about the function f.
So, statement 1 is NOT SUFFICIENT

Statement 1 : f(n) = n-1   
At first glance, we might assume that statement 2 is not sufficient, since we don't know the value of n. 
However, now that we know how the function f behaves, we can, indeed answer the  target question . 
If f(n) = n-1, then...
f(n) =  n - 1  and f(n - 1) = (n - 1) - 1 =  n - 2 
So, the original target question  Is f(n) > f(n−1)?  becomes  Is  n - 1  >  n − 2 ? 
Sure, n - 1 is  definitely greater  than n - 2
Since we can answer the  target question  with certainty, statement 2 is SUFFICIENT

Answer = B

MathRevolution · Answer

Forget conventional ways of solving math questions. For DS problems, the VA (Variable Approach) method is the quickest and easiest way to find the answer without actually solving the problem. Remember that equal numbers of variables and independent equations ensure a solution.

Since we have 1 variable (n) and 0 equations, D is most likely to be the answer. So, we should consider each of the conditions on their own first.

Condition 1) : n = 8
Since f(n) is not determined, condition 1) is not sufficient.

Condition 2) : f(n) = n - 1
Since f(n) = n - 1, we have f(n-1) = (n-1)-1 = n-2.
Since n - 1 > n - 2, f(n) > f(n-1).
Thus, the condition 2) is sufficient.

Therefore, B is the answer.

If the original condition includes “1 variable”, or “2 variables and 1 equation”, or “3 variables and 2 equations” etc., one more equation is required to answer the question. If each of conditions 1) and 2) provide an additional equation, there is a 59% chance that D is the answer, a 38% chance that A or B is the answer, and a 3% chance that the answer is C or E. Thus, answer D (conditions 1) and 2), when applied separately, are sufficient to answer the question) is most likely, but there may be cases where the answer is A,B,C or E.

Basshead · Answer

(1) We can rephrase the question as  f(8)>f(7) ?

However, we have no information regarding the function. INSUFFICIENT.

(2) We have  n - 1 > (n - 1) - 1 
 n - 1 > n -2

SUFFICIENT.

dave13 · Answer

BrentGMATPrepNow in ST 1 , f(8) > f(7)? what do you mean "because we don't know anything about the function f." we know what "n" is.... Can you give example how in this case function may behave

i thought St 1 is sufficient ... i just wrote 8>7

Any videos on functions ?

BrentGMATPrepNow · Answer

Here's an example:

f(n) = 2 - n
(1) n = 8
So, f(n) = f(8) = 2 - 8 = -6
And f(n-1) = f(7) = 2 - 7 = -5
In this case, f(n-1) > f(n)

Now consider the function f(n) = 2n
(1) n = 8
So, f(n) = f(8) = (2)(8) = 16
And f(n-1) = f(7) = (2)(7) = 14
In this case, f(n) > f(n-1)

Does that help?

Kimberly77 · Answer

Hi  BrentGMATPrepNow , For St.1 not sufficient, is it because it's being given as n = 8 and not f(n) = 8? Therefore function f is not being defined. 
Could we understand it this way? Thanks Brent

BrentGMATPrepNow · Answer

That's correct. 
If we don't have any information about what the function does, there's no way to answer the target question.

Kimberly77 · Answer

Brilliant thanks BrentGMATPrepNow for great explanation always.

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.

Is f(n) > f(n 1)? (1) n = 8 (2) f(n) = n - 1

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