1985 AJHSME Problem 9

Problem

The product of the 9 factors $\Big(1 - \frac12\Big)\Big(1 - \frac13\Big)\Big(1 - \frac14\Big)\cdots\Big(1 - \frac {1}{10}\Big) =$

$\text{(A)}\ \frac {1}{10} \qquad \text{(B)}\ \frac {1}{9} \qquad \text{(C)}\ \frac {1}{2} \qquad \text{(D)}\ \frac {10}{11} \qquad \text{(E)}\ \frac {11}{2}$

In-depth Solution by BoundlessBrain!

https://youtu.be/yBrLXnjasgg

Solution

This product simplifies to: $\frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{2}{3} \dots \frac{9}{10}.$ Numerators and denominators cancel to yield the answer: $\boxed{\text{(A)} \frac{1}{10}}.$

Solution 2 (Brute Force)

Multiply the numerators and denominators The expression is $\frac{362880}{3628800}$ which is $\frac{1}{10}$ or $\boxed{\textbf{(A)}\frac{1}{10}}$

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1985 AJHSME Problem 9

Contents

Problem

In-depth Solution by BoundlessBrain!

Solution

Solution 2 (Brute Force)