Read the following SAT test question, then click on a button to select your answer.

If s = 1 + 1/2 + 1/4 + 1/8 + 1/16 + 1/32 and t = 1 + 1/2s, then t exceeds s by

A. 1/4
B. 1/8
C. 1/16
D. 1/32
E. 1/64

Answer is E

Here's Why:

“t exceeds s” is interpreted mathematically as the value of t – s and is evaluated as follows:

t – s = (1+1/2s) – s

= 1 + (1 + 1/2 + 1/4 + 1/8 + 1/16 + 1/32)1/2 – (1 + 1/2 + 1/4 + 1/8 + 1/16 + 1/32)

= 1 + 1/2 + 1/4 + 1/8 + 1/16 + 1/32 + 1/64

– 1 – 1/2 – 1/4 – 1/8 – 1/16 – 1/32

= 1/64


Difficulty: Medium
Question Type: Standard Multiple Choice

(Mathematics)