Bunuel
Which of the following is the greatest?
(A) \(\frac{1}{√2}+\frac{1}{√4}+\frac{1}{√6}+\frac{1}{√8}\)
(B) \(\frac{1}{{2^2}}+\frac{1}{{4^2}}+\frac{1}{{6^2}}+\frac{1}{{8^2}}\)
(C) \(\frac{1}{{2^2}}+\frac{1}{{2^4}}+\frac{1}{{2^6}}+\frac{1}{{2^8}}\)
(D) \(1-\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{4}-\frac{1}{6}\)
(E) \(\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{6}+\frac{1}{8}\)
Compare pairs of options and eliminate.
First (D) and (E) since they are pretty simple.
Since 1 - 1/2 = 1/2, (D) becomes
\((D). \frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{4}-\frac{1}{6}\)
\((E). \frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{6}+\frac{1}{8}\)
(E) is greater. Eliminate (D).
\((C). \frac{1}{{2^2}}+\frac{1}{{2^4}}+\frac{1}{{2^6}}+\frac{1}{{2^8}}\)
\((E). \frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{6}+\frac{1}{8}\)
Every denominator of (C) is greater than every corresponding denominator of (E). So (C) has smaller terms. Eliminate (C). Same logic for (B).
\((A). \frac{1}{√2}+\frac{1}{√4}+\frac{1}{√6}+\frac{1}{√8}\)
\((E). \frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{6}+\frac{1}{8}\)
√2 < 2, √4 < 4, √6 < 6 and √8 < 8
Hence all denominators of option (A) are smaller and hence, all terms of option (A) are greater than corresponding terms of option (E).
Hence option (A) is the greatest.