In statement 2 . I dont understand why we are only using a[1]=1 . Since a1 is positive integer than it is possible that a1=2. That will give us 2=2*a[2] hence a[2]=1 .Hence statement 2 is not always correct.

Official Solution:


The sequence \(a_1\), \(a_2\), \(a_3\), ..., \(a_n\), ... is such that \(i*a_i=j*a_j\) for any pair of positive integers \((i, j)\). If \(a_1\) is a positive integer, which of the following could be true?

I. \(2*a_{100}=a_{99}+a_{98}\)

II. \(a_1\) is the only integer in the sequence

III. The sequence does not contain negative numbers


A. I only
B. II only
C. I and III only
D. II and III only
E. I, II, and III


Given that the sequence of numbers \(a_1\), \(a_2\), \(a_3\), ... have the following properties: \(i*a_i=j*a_j\) and \(a_1=\text{positive integer}\), so \(1*a_1=2*a_2=3*a_3=4*a_4=5*a_5=...=\text{positive integer}\).

We should determine whether the options given below can occur (notice that the question is which of the following COULD be true, not MUS be true).

I. \(2a_{100}=a_{99}+a_{98}\). Since \(100a_{100}=99a_{99}=98a_{98}\), then \(2a_{100}=\frac{100}{99}a_{100}+\frac{100}{98}a_{100}\). Reduce by \(a_{100}\): \(2=\frac{100}{99}+\frac{100}{98}\) which is not true. Hence this option could NOT be true.

II. \(a_1\) is the only integer in the sequence. If \(a_1=1\), then all other terms will be non-integers, because in this case we would have \(a_1=1=2a_2=3a_3=...\), which leads to \(a_2=\frac{1}{2}\), \(a_3=\frac{1}{3}\), \(a_4=\frac{1}{4}\), and so on. Hence this option could be true.

III. The sequence does not contain negative numbers. Since given that \(a_1=\text{positive integer}=n*a_n\), then \(a_n=\frac{\text{positive integer}}{n}=\text{positive number}\), hence this option is always true.


Answer: D

Hi Bunuel, Amazing questions - one doubt here, why would be say option 2 as Could Be True ? - isnt this as well a Must be True answer?

TIA

For statement 2-

a1=2 and a2=1;
so 1*a1=2*a2 in this case.

And both a1 and a2 are integers..

then wouldnt the statement a1 is the only integer be false?

I've read through this thread multiple times, but I've still got no idea why statement 2 isn't always true. I understand that the above post is trying to show how it can be false, but I don't understand it.

I think this is a poor-quality question. The question is stated incorrectly. It must state -- for any pair of "consecutive" positive integers (i,j).

Hi Bunuel,

Just to check with you whether * is a symbol or a "multiplication"?

Thank you.

_____________________
* is a multiplication there.

Hi Bunuel. Thank you for your quick reply.

Is is common for * to represent multiplication in GMAT questions?

I am having difficulty answering questions from GMAT Club tests as it is rather confusing to treat * as a multiplication when it looks more like a "symbol".

Official Solution:


The sequence \(a_1\), \(a_2\), \(a_3\), ..., \(a_n\), ... is such that \(i*a_i=j*a_j\) for any pair of positive integers \((i, j)\). If \(a_1\) is a positive integer, which of the following could be true?

I. \(2*a_{100}=a_{99}+a_{98}\)

II. \(a_1\) is the only integer in the sequence

III. The sequence does not contain negative numbers


A. I only
B. II only
C. I and III only
D. II and III only
E. I, II, and III


Given that the sequence of numbers \(a_1\), \(a_2\), \(a_3\), ... have the following properties: \(i*a_i=j*a_j\) and \(a_1=\text{positive integer}\), so \(1*a_1=2*a_2=3*a_3=4*a_4=5*a_5=...=\text{positive integer}\).

We should determine whether the options given below can occur (notice that the question is which of the following COULD be true, not MUS be true).

I. \(2a_{100}=a_{99}+a_{98}\). Since \(100a_{100}=99a_{99}=98a_{98}\), then \(2a_{100}=\frac{100}{99}a_{100}+\frac{100}{98}a_{100}\). Reduce by \(a_{100}\): \(2=\frac{100}{99}+\frac{100}{98}\) which is not true. Hence this option could NOT be true.

II. \(a_1\) is the only integer in the sequence. If \(a_1=1\), then all other terms will be non-integers, because in this case we would have \(a_1=1=2a_2=3a_3=...\), which leads to \(a_2=\frac{1}{2}\), \(a_3=\frac{1}{3}\), \(a_4=\frac{1}{4}\), and so on. Hence this option could be true.

III. The sequence does not contain negative numbers. Since given that \(a_1=\text{positive integer}=n*a_n\), then \(a_n=\frac{\text{positive integer}}{n}=\text{positive number}\), hence this option is always true.


Answer: D

Bunuel why i=j=1 not considered?
chetan2u
VeritasKarishma

How will that help us?
We already know \(1*a_1=1*a_1\)