Last visit was: 22 Apr 2026, 22:35 It is currently 22 Apr 2026, 22:35
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
avatar
sarthakaggarwal
Joined: 30 Aug 2021
Last visit: 22 Jul 2025
Posts: 81
Own Kudos:
116
 [7]
Given Kudos: 15
Location: India
GPA: 3.44
Posts: 81
Kudos: 116
 [7]
Kudos
Add Kudos
7
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
avatar
Devyanis
Joined: 21 Jan 2021
Last visit: 27 Oct 2023
Posts: 5
Own Kudos:
3
 [3]
Given Kudos: 40
Location: India
Posts: 5
Kudos: 3
 [3]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Kinshook
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 03 Jun 2019
Last visit: 22 Apr 2026
Posts: 5,985
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 163
Location: India
GMAT 1: 690 Q50 V34
WE:Engineering (Transportation)
Products:
GMAT 1: 690 Q50 V34
Posts: 5,985
Kudos: 5,858
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
KarishmaB
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Last visit: 21 Apr 2026
Posts: 16,439
Own Kudos:
79,389
 [1]
Given Kudos: 484
Location: Pune, India
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 16,439
Kudos: 79,389
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
sarthakaggarwal
Let the m-th and n-thterms of a Geometric progression be 3/4 and 12, respectively, when m < n. If the common ratio of the progression is an integer r, then the smallest possible value of r + n - m is

A -4
B -2
C 6
D 2
E 0

We are given that \(\frac{3}{4} * r^a = 12\)
\(r^a = 16 = 2^4 = (-2)^4 = 4^2 = (-4)^2\)
So r could be 2 or -2 in which case (n - m) would be 4 (since r multiplies 4 times with 3/4 to give 12, the two terms must be 4 apart)
Or r could be 4 or -4 in which case (n - m) is 2.
r cannot be 16 since were are looking for the smallest value.

Since we need the smallest value of r + (n-m), it must be -4 + 2 = -2

Answer (B)
User avatar
Crytiocanalyst
Joined: 16 Jun 2021
Last visit: 27 May 2023
Posts: 943
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 309
Posts: 943
Kudos: 214
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
sarthakaggarwal
Let the m-th and n-thterms of a Geometric progression be 3/4 and 12, respectively, when m < n. If the common ratio of the progression is an integer r, then the smallest possible value of r + n - m is

A -4
B -2
C 6
D 2
E 0

Right substitution of values should take us through
let r=-4 , n=3 and m=1

=>-4+3 -1
=>-2

Therefore IMO B
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,963
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,963
Kudos: 1,117
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Automated notice from GMAT Club BumpBot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

This post was generated automatically.
Moderators:
Math Expert
109763 posts
Tuck School Moderator
853 posts