Last visit was: 22 Apr 2026, 21:29 It is currently 22 Apr 2026, 21:29
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
Sub 505 (Easy)|   Sequences|                        
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 22 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,754
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 105,823
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,754
Kudos: 810,693
 [95]
16
Kudos
Add Kudos
78
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 22 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,754
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 105,823
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,754
Kudos: 810,693
 [27]
14
Kudos
Add Kudos
13
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
cyberjadugar
Joined: 29 Mar 2012
Last visit: 01 Apr 2026
Posts: 264
Own Kudos:
1,814
 [5]
Given Kudos: 23
Location: India
GMAT 1: 640 Q50 V26
GMAT 2: 660 Q50 V28
GMAT 3: 730 Q50 V38
GMAT 3: 730 Q50 V38
Posts: 264
Kudos: 1,814
 [5]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
User avatar
geometric
Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Last visit: 15 Feb 2017
Posts: 243
Own Kudos:
907
 [2]
Given Kudos: 38
Weight: 170lbs
GMAT 1: 740 Q48 V42
GMAT 2: 760 Q50 V42
WE:Analyst (Other)
GMAT 2: 760 Q50 V42
Posts: 243
Kudos: 907
 [2]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I'm not sure how efficient my method was:

a3 = 4 = (a2 + a1) / 2
:. 8 = a2 + a1

a5 = 20 = (a4 + a3) / 2
:. 40 = a4 + a3 = a4 + 4
:. a4 = 36

a6 = ?
a6 = (a5 + a4) / 2
a6 = (20 + 36) / 2 = 28

(E) 28
User avatar
rajareena
Joined: 07 Sep 2011
Last visit: 30 Oct 2012
Posts: 38
Own Kudos:
55
 [1]
Given Kudos: 3
Location: United States
Concentration: Strategy, International Business
GMAT 1: 640 Q39 V38
WE:General Management (Real Estate)
GMAT 1: 640 Q39 V38
Posts: 38
Kudos: 55
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I consider it to be higher then 600 level due to function involved although very each one if one is able to decipher.

Calculate the value of a4 as a5 and a3 is given. Thus a5=a4+a3/2
20=(a4+4)/2 or 40-4=a4.

a6= 20+36/2= 28

Answer: E
User avatar
mcelroytutoring
Joined: 10 Jul 2015
Last visit: 19 Mar 2026
Posts: 1,206
Own Kudos:
2,675
 [1]
Given Kudos: 282
Status:Expert GMAT, GRE, and LSAT Tutor / Coach
Affiliations: Harvard University, A.B. with honors in Government, 2002
Location: United States (CO)
Age: 45 (10 years and counting on GMAT Club!)
GMAT 1: 770 Q47 V48
GMAT 2: 730 Q44 V47
GMAT 3: 750 Q50 V42
GMAT 4: 730 Q48 V42 (Online)
GRE 1: Q168 V169
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 4: 730 Q48 V42 (Online)
GRE 1: Q168 V169
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Posts: 1,206
Kudos: 2,675
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
The sequence \(a_1\), \(a_2\), \(a_3\), ... , \(a_n\), ... is such that \(a_n=\frac{a_{n-1}+a_{n-2}}{2}\) for all \(n\geq{3}\). If \(a_3 = 4\) and \(a_5 = 20\), what is the value of \(a_6\) ?

(A) 12
(B) 16
(C) 20
(D) 24
(E) 28


Please note: this question in the 2017 version of the OG (page 20, #3, Quant Diagnostic Test) contains a typo. It should say \(a_n=\frac{a_{n-1}+a_{n-2}}{2}\) for all \(n\geq{3}\), but instead it says \(a_n=\frac{a_{n+1}+a_{n-2}}{2}\) for all \(n\geq{3}\). The answer explanation on page 46, however, lists the correct formula.

Yes, even the GMAC makes mistakes!
User avatar
ScottTargetTestPrep
User avatar
Target Test Prep Representative
Joined: 14 Oct 2015
Last visit: 22 Apr 2026
Posts: 22,278
Own Kudos:
26,528
 [1]
Given Kudos: 302
Status:Founder & CEO
Affiliations: Target Test Prep
Location: United States (CA)
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 22,278
Kudos: 26,528
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
The sequence \(a_1\), \(a_2\), \(a_3\), ... , \(a_n\), ... is such that \(a_n=\frac{a_{n-1}+a_{n-2}}{2}\) for all \(n\geq{3}\). If \(a_3 = 4\) and \(a_5 = 20\), what is the value of \(a_6\) ?

(A) 12
(B) 16
(C) 20
(D) 24
(E) 28
Solution:

We see that:

a_5 = (a_4 + a_3) / 2

Since we are given the values of a_5 and a_3, we can solve for a_4:

20 = (a_4 + 4) / 2

40 = a_4 + 4

36 = a_4

With a_4 = 36, we can find the value of a_6 as follows:

a_6 = (a_5 + a_4)/2

a_6 = (20 + 36)/2

a_6 = 56/2 = 28

Answer: E
User avatar
DanTheGMATMan
Joined: 02 Oct 2015
Last visit: 22 Apr 2026
Posts: 380
Own Kudos:
267
 [1]
Given Kudos: 9
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 380
Kudos: 267
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
­Classic sequence problem:

User avatar
totaltestprepNick
Joined: 25 Aug 2014
Last visit: 22 Apr 2026
Posts: 469
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 2
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
Posts: 469
Kudos: 4
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
The sequence \(a_1\), \(a_2\), \(a_3\), ... , \(a_n\), ... is such that \(a_n=\frac{a_{n-1}+a_{n-2}}{2}\) for all \(n\geq{3}\). If \(a_3 = 4\) and \(a_5 = 20\), what is the value of \(a_6\) ?

(A) 12
(B) 16
(C) 20
(D) 24
(E) 28





Nick Slavkovich, GMAT/GRE tutor with 20+ years of experience

[email protected]
Moderators:
Math Expert
109754 posts
Tuck School Moderator
853 posts