1971 AHSME Problems/Problem 33

Problem

If $P$ is the product of $n$ quantities in Geometric Progression, $S$ their sum, and $S'$ the sum of their reciprocals, then $P$ in terms of $S, S'$ , and $n$ is

$\textbf{(A) }(SS')^{\frac{1}{2}n}\qquad \textbf{(B) }(S/S')^{\frac{1}{2}n}\qquad \textbf{(C) }(SS')^{n-2}\qquad \textbf{(D) }(S/S')^n\qquad \textbf{(E) }(S/S')^{\frac{1}{2}(n-1)}$

Solution (using answer choices)

We can just look at a very specific case: $1, 2, 4, 8.$ Here, $n=4, P=64, S=15,$ and $S'=\frac{30}{16}=\frac{15}{8}.$

Then, plug in values of $S, S',$ and $n$ into each of the answer choices and see if it matches the product.

Answer choice $\textbf{(B)}$ works: $(\frac{15}{\frac{15}{8}})^2 = 64.$

-edited by coolmath34

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1971 AHSME Problems/Problem 33

Problem

Solution (using answer choices)