Last visit was: 27 Mar 2025, 15:27 It is currently 27 Mar 2025, 15:27
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 27 Mar 2025
Posts: 100,114
Own Kudos:
711,390
 [3]
Given Kudos: 92,732
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 100,114
Kudos: 711,390
 [3]
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 27 Mar 2025
Posts: 100,114
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 92,732
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 100,114
Kudos: 711,390
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
w0ng3r
Joined: 24 Apr 2023
Last visit: 01 May 2023
Posts: 2
Own Kudos:
1
 [1]
Posts: 2
Kudos: 1
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 27 Mar 2025
Posts: 100,114
Own Kudos:
711,390
 [1]
Given Kudos: 92,732
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 100,114
Kudos: 711,390
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
w0ng3r
Bunuel
Official Solution:


What is the value of the following expression:

\(\frac{1}{\sqrt{1} + \sqrt{2}} + \frac{1}{\sqrt{2} + \sqrt{3}} + \frac{1}{\sqrt{3} + \sqrt{4}} + ... + \frac{1}{\sqrt{120} + \sqrt{121}}\)


A. \(1\)
B. \(9\)
C. \(10\)
D. \(11\)
E. \(12\)


Rationalize by multiplying the denominator and the numerator of each fraction by \(\sqrt{x}-\sqrt{x-1}\) (this algebraic manipulation is called rationalization and is performed to eliminate irrational expression in the denominator). As in the denominator we have \(\sqrt{x}+\sqrt{x-1}\) we'll get \((\sqrt{x}+\sqrt{x-1})(\sqrt{x}-\sqrt{x-1})=x-(x-1)=1\).

We'll be left with the following:

\((\sqrt{2}-\sqrt{1})+(\sqrt{3}-\sqrt{2})+(\sqrt{4}-\sqrt{3})+....+(\sqrt{121}-\sqrt{120})=-\sqrt{1}+\sqrt{121}=-1+11=10\)


Answer: C

Why do we multiply by \(\sqrt{x}-\sqrt{x-1}\) when rationalizing? Can you explain how this step is done?

Rationalization is an algebraic manipulation performed to eliminate irrational expressions in the denominator and to simplify the expression. For the given problem, we multiply the denominator and the numerator of the fraction \(\frac{1}{\sqrt{x}+\sqrt{x-1}}\) by \(\sqrt{x}-\sqrt{x-1}\), resulting in:

    \(\frac{\sqrt{x}-\sqrt{x-1}}{(\sqrt{x}+\sqrt{x-1})(\sqrt{x}-\sqrt{x-1})}\).

Next, apply the difference of squares formula, \((a-b) = a^2 - b^2\), to the expression in the denominator:

    \(\frac{\sqrt{x}-\sqrt{x-1}}{x -(x-1)}=\)

    \(=\sqrt{x}-\sqrt{x-1}\).
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 36,716
Own Kudos:
Posts: 36,716
Kudos: 963
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
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.
Moderators:
Math Expert
100114 posts
Founder
40333 posts