Last visit was: 23 Apr 2026, 04:52 It is currently 23 Apr 2026, 04:52
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
MathRevolution
User avatar
Math Revolution GMAT Instructor
Joined: 16 Aug 2015
Last visit: 27 Sep 2022
Posts: 10,063
Own Kudos:
20,000
 [4]
Given Kudos: 4
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
GPA: 3.82
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
Posts: 10,063
Kudos: 20,000
 [4]
Kudos
Add Kudos
4
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
KS15
Joined: 21 May 2013
Last visit: 25 Jul 2019
Posts: 531
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 608
Posts: 531
Kudos: 259
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
MathRevolution
User avatar
Math Revolution GMAT Instructor
Joined: 16 Aug 2015
Last visit: 27 Sep 2022
Posts: 10,063
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 4
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
GPA: 3.82
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
Posts: 10,063
Kudos: 20,000
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
avatar
RLokesh
Joined: 27 Aug 2016
Last visit: 24 Oct 2018
Posts: 13
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 74
Posts: 13
Kudos: 5
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
MathRevolution
=>

If \(n = 1\), then R2 – R1 = \(-(\frac{1}{2}) < 0\), and we have R1 > R2.
If \(n = 2\), then R3 – R2 = \(\frac{1}{4} > 0\), and we have R3 > R2.
Furthermore, R3 – R1 = ( R3 – R2 ) + ( R2 – R1 ) = \(\frac{1}{4} + (\frac{-1}{2})\) =\(\frac{-1}{4} < 0\), and we have R3 < R1.
Thus R1 > R3 > R2.

Therefore, C is the answer.
Answer: C

The answer obtained points to Option A and not Option C.

Kindly modify the OA.
User avatar
stne
Joined: 27 May 2012
Last visit: 23 Apr 2026
Posts: 1,808
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 678
Posts: 1,808
Kudos: 2,090
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
MathRevolution
=>

If \(n = 1\), then R2 – R1 = \(-(\frac{1}{2}) < 0\), and we have R1 > R2.
If \(n = 2\), then R3 – R2 = \(\frac{1}{4} > 0\), and we have R3 > R2.
Furthermore, R3 – R1 = ( R3 – R2 ) + ( R2 – R1 ) = \(\frac{1}{4} + (\frac{-1}{2})\) =\(\frac{-1}{4} < 0\), and we have R3 < R1.
Thus R1 > R3 > R2.

Therefore, C is the answer.
Answer: C

Dear Moderator ,
This post needs your attention. The answer obtained is choice A and NOT choice C. Kindly correct the small typo in the post by MathRevolution. Thank you.
User avatar
BARUAH
Joined: 25 Nov 2017
Last visit: 20 Jun 2022
Posts: 65
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 70
Location: India
GMAT 1: 590 Q47 V25
GMAT 2: 660 Q50 V29
GPA: 3.56
GMAT 2: 660 Q50 V29
Posts: 65
Kudos: 32
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
R2-R1= - 0.5
R3-R2= -1
So, R3-R1= -1.5
There can be a situation when value of R1=3, R2=2.5 R3=1.5 then these values satisfy the above equations. Then R1>R2>R3.
Ans.B
Is this approach right ???





Sent from my Lenovo K33a42 using GMAT Club Forum mobile app
User avatar
stne
Joined: 27 May 2012
Last visit: 23 Apr 2026
Posts: 1,808
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 678
Posts: 1,808
Kudos: 2,090
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
BARUAH
R2-R1= - 0.5
R3-R2= -1
So, R3-R1= -1.5
There can be a situation when value of R1=3, R2=2.5 R3=1.5 then these values satisfy the above equations. Then R1>R2>R3.
Ans.B
Is this approach right ???






Sent from my Lenovo K33a42 using GMAT Club Forum mobile app

How did you get \(R_3 -R_2= -1\) ?
\(R_3-R_2 = \frac{1}{4}\) because \(R_3-R_2\) = \((\frac{-1}{2})^2\)
Remember the stem \(R _{n+1} -R_n = (\frac{-1}{2})^n\)

So for n= 2 , \((\frac{-1}{2})^2\)

Hope this helps, please feel free to ask if anything is still unclear.
User avatar
Andruida
Joined: 09 May 2018
Last visit: 10 Oct 2018
Posts: 6
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 1
Concentration: Finance, Technology
Posts: 6
Kudos: 8
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
(I) R2 - R1 = -1/2 = -0.50
(II) R3 - R2 = +1/4 = +0.25
(III) R3 - R1 = -1/4 = -0.25

We can see that R1 > R3 > R2

If it's not clear, you can change the variables for numbers
R2 = 0.50
R1 = 1.00
R3 = 0.75

(I) R2 - R1 = -1/2 = -0.50
0.5 - 1.0 = -0.50

(II) R3 - R2 = +1/4 = +0.25
0.75 - 0.50 = +0.25

(III) R3 - R1 = -1/4 = -0.25
0.75 - 1.00 = -0.25

1.00 > 0.75 > 0.50
R1 > R3 > R2

The answer is alternative A
User avatar
finisher009
Joined: 10 Jun 2025
Last visit: 22 Jan 2026
Posts: 49
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 54
GMAT Focus 1: 625 Q82 V83 DI78
GMAT Focus 1: 625 Q82 V83 DI78
Posts: 49
Kudos: 9
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
The Solution:
1. Analyze the Rule: The rule is `R(n+1) - R(n) = (-1/2)^n`. This tells us how to get from one term to the next.

2. Pick a Smart Number: Let’s assume the first term, `R1`, is 0. This is the easiest number to work with.
• `R1 = 0`

3. Calculate the Next Terms:
• To find `R2`, we set `n=1`: `R2 - R1 = (-1/2)^1`. So, `R2 = R1 - 1/2`. Since `R1=0`, then `R2 = -0.5`.
• To find `R3`, we set `n=2`: `R3 - R2 = (-1/2)^2`. So, `R3 = R2 + 1/4`. Since `R2=-0.5`, then `R3 = -0.5 + 0.25 = -0.25`.

4. Compare and Choose:
• We have: `R1 = 0`, `R2 = -0.5`, `R3 = -0.25`.
• Ordering them from largest to smallest: `0 > -0.25 > -0.5`.
• This means `R1 > R3 > R2`.

A
Moderators:
Math Expert
109776 posts
Tuck School Moderator
853 posts