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misterJJ2u
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ian7777
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ian7777
misterJJ2u
Any suggestions for a quicker answer?

I was taking too long determining sign changes and adding / subtracting between each item (1-10) and ended up just guessing in order to move onto the next problem.

Looking for ways to cut down time on easy questions like this.

Also D. 1 minute.

1. Find pattern. There has to be one, otherwise it wouldn't be a GMAT question. Very quickly see that this thing is just alternating positive and negative powers of 1/2:
1/2, -1/4, 1/8, -1/16....

2. Every change is smaller than the previous one. Classic GMAT game. I drew a number line:

-|---------------------|----------------------|
0 ....................... 1/4 ..................... 1/2

Numbers start at 1/2, then down 1/4, then up 1/8, then down 1/16. You basically bounce back and fourth, but you NEVER cross 1/4, and you never cross 1/2.

-|---------------------|----------------------|
0 ....................... 1/4 ..................... 1/2
...................................................... Start
............................ {---------------------- ....(Back 1/4)
............................. ------------} ...............(forward 1/8)
......................................{----- ................(back 1/16)
.......................................---} .................(forward 1/32)
....................................... {- .................. (back 1/64)

Etc, etc. It's a lot here to type out, on paper, really simple. Either way, you can see the range you're in pretty clearly.


Nice ! - Thanks for your help - I'm guessing its a lot of work to write it all down. A true and elegant solution.

:)
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Himalayan
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ian7777
misterJJ2u
Any suggestions for a quicker answer?

I was taking too long determining sign changes and adding / subtracting between each item (1-10) and ended up just guessing in order to move onto the next problem.

Looking for ways to cut down time on easy questions like this.

Also D. 1 minute.

1. Find pattern. There has to be one, otherwise it wouldn't be a GMAT question. Very quickly see that this thing is just alternating positive and negative powers of 1/2:
1/2, -1/4, 1/8, -1/16....

2. Every change is smaller than the previous one. Classic GMAT game. I drew a number line:

-|---------------------|----------------------|
0 ....................... 1/4 ..................... 1/2

Numbers start at 1/2, then down 1/4, then up 1/8, then down 1/16. You basically bounce back and fourth, but you NEVER cross 1/4, and you never cross 1/2.

-|---------------------|----------------------|
0 ....................... 1/4 ..................... 1/2
...................................................... Start
............................ {---------------------- ....(Back 1/4)
............................. ------------} ...............(forward 1/8)
......................................{----- ................(back 1/16)
.......................................---} .................(forward 1/32)
....................................... {- .................. (back 1/64)

Etc, etc. It's a lot here to type out, on paper, really simple. Either way, you can see the range you're in pretty clearly.


wonderful approach..


btw, i got 341/1024 using my lengthy approach..
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misterJJ2u
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Quote:


Also D. 1 minute.

1. Find pattern. There has to be one, otherwise it wouldn't be a GMAT question. Very quickly see that this thing is just alternating positive and negative powers of 1/2:
1/2, -1/4, 1/8, -1/16....

2. Every change is smaller than the previous one. Classic GMAT game. I drew a number line:

-|---------------------|----------------------|
0 ....................... 1/4 ..................... 1/2

Numbers start at 1/2, then down 1/4, then up 1/8, then down 1/16. You basically bounce back and fourth, but you NEVER cross 1/4, and you never cross 1/2.

-|---------------------|----------------------|
0 ....................... 1/4 ..................... 1/2
...................................................... Start
............................ {---------------------- ....(Back 1/4)
............................. ------------} ...............(forward 1/8)
......................................{----- ................(back 1/16)
.......................................---} .................(forward 1/32)
....................................... {- .................. (back 1/64)

Etc, etc. It's a lot here to type out, on paper, really simple. Either way, you can see the range you're in pretty clearly.


Thanks Ian. That's exactly what I was looking for. I figured there was some easier way. Now I just have to be able to find it and apply it on test day! :)
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andrehaui
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my aproach to this question:

first try 3 consecutive numbers

for k =1 : 0.5
for k=2 : -0.25
for k=3 : 0.125

so we have a geometric progression with ratio 1/-2....with this you can get your answer in less than 1minut



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