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Official Solution:


What is the value of the following expression:

\(\frac{1}{\sqrt{1} + \sqrt{2}} + \frac{1}{\sqrt{2} + \sqrt{3}} + \frac{1}{\sqrt{3} + \sqrt{4}} + ... + \frac{1}{\sqrt{120} + \sqrt{121}}\)


A. \(1\)
B. \(9\)
C. \(10\)
D. \(11\)
E. \(12\)


Rationalize by multiplying the denominator and the numerator of each fraction by \(\sqrt{x}-\sqrt{x-1}\) (this algebraic manipulation is called rationalization and is performed to eliminate irrational expression in the denominator). As in the denominator we have \(\sqrt{x}+\sqrt{x-1}\) we'll get \((\sqrt{x}+\sqrt{x-1})(\sqrt{x}-\sqrt{x-1})=x-(x-1)=1\).

We'll be left with the following:

\((\sqrt{2}-\sqrt{1})+(\sqrt{3}-\sqrt{2})+(\sqrt{4}-\sqrt{3})+....+(\sqrt{121}-\sqrt{120})=-\sqrt{1}+\sqrt{121}=-1+11=10\)


Answer: C
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ArvindCrackVerbal
When I have a look at this type of a sequence, I tell myself that I have to look for a pattern. In this question, it’s very easy to identify a pattern since there are surds i.e. irrational numbers in the denominator.

When there is a surd (an irrational number) in the denominator, we try to rationalize it by multiplying and dividing each fraction by the conjugate of the surd.

That is, if we have a term √a+ √b in the denominator, we multiply and divide the fraction by √a- √b. When we do this, the denominator evolves into an expression in the form of (a-b) (a+b) which can be re-written as \(a^2 – b^2\) due to which the roots get cancelled out and we have a rational number.

Therefore, \(\frac{1}{ √1+ √2}\) can be rationalized to \(\frac{√2- √1 }{ 2 – 1}\) = √2- √1.

In each term, the numbers given in the denominator differ by 1. We can conclude that all the denominators will give us 1 upon rationlisation.

The sequence can be simplified to look like the one below:
√2- √1 + √3- √2 + √4- √3 + ……. + √121- √120. This lets us cancel off the positive and the negative terms leaving us with √121- √1 = 11 – 1 = 10.

The correct answer option is C. Bunuel, kindly change the OA for this question.

Hope that helps!

Yes, the correct answer is 10, which is C. Edited. Thank you.
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