Art of Problem Solving

1986 AJHSME Problems/Problem 2: Difference between revisions

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{{AJHSME box|year=1986|num-b=1|num-a=3}}
{{AJHSME box|year=1986|num-b=1|num-a=3}}
[[Category:Introductory Algebra Problems]]
[[Category:Introductory Algebra Problems]]
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Revision as of 20:03, 3 July 2013

Problem

Which of the following numbers has the largest reciprocal?

$\text{(A)}\ \frac{1}{3} \qquad \text{(B)}\ \frac{2}{5} \qquad \text{(C)}\ 1 \qquad \text{(D)}\ 5 \qquad \text{(E)}\ 1986$

Solution

For positive numbers, the larger the number, the smaller its reciprocal. Likewise, smaller numbers have larger reciprocals.

Thus, all we have to do is find the smallest number.

But which one is it? $\frac{1}{3}$? or $\frac{2}{5}$? We see that $\frac{1}{3} = \frac{5}{15}$, and $\frac{2}{5} = \frac{6}{15}$, so obviously $\frac{1}{3}$ is smaller.

$\boxed{\text{A}}$

See Also

1986 AJHSME (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 1
Followed by
Problem 3
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
All AJHSME/AMC 8 Problems and Solutions

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