Question

The sum of an infinite geometric series is a positive number $S,$ and the second term in the series is $1.$ What is the smallest possible value of $S?$

$\dfrac{1+\sqrt5}{2}$

$2$

$\sqrt5$

$3$

$4$

Answer: E

Concepts:geometric sequence quadratic optimization

Difficulty rating: 1730

Solution:

Let $r$ be the common ratio. Since the second term is $1,$ the first term is $\dfrac1r,$ so $S=\dfrac{1/r}{1-r}=\dfrac{1}{r-r^2}.$ Convergence requires $|r|\lt1,$ and $S\gt0$ then forces $0\lt r\lt1.$ Therefore $S$ is smallest when $r-r^2$ is largest. The parabola $r-r^2$ peaks at $r=\tfrac12,$ where it equals $\tfrac14,$ so the smallest value of $S$ is $\dfrac{1}{1/4}=4.$

Thus, the correct answer is E.

2016 AMC 12B Problem 14

Answer: E

Difficulty rating: 1730

Solution:

Problem 14 in Other Years