2016 AMC 12B Problem 14
Problem 14 of 25IntermediateAlgebra
The sum of an infinite geometric series is a positive number and the second term in the series is What is the smallest possible value of
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Solution
Let be the common ratio. Since the second term is the first term is so Convergence requires and then forces Therefore is smallest when is largest. The parabola peaks at where it equals so the smallest value of is
Thus, the correct answer is E.