Infinite series

0.712712712712712 0.712712712712712 \ldots If we convert the non-terminating decimal number above in fraction, a b \frac a b , where a a and b b are coprime positive integers, calculate the value of a + b a+b .


The answer is 1711.

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6 solutions

Callum Maddox
Aug 21, 2014

take the right hand side and let it be x. 1000x=712.712712712712. If you then subtract x from 1000x you end up with 999x=712. Therefore 712/999=x. This means a/b=712/999. Since this is the most simplified fraction a+b=712+999=1711. This rule can apply to integers of any number of digits. the number of digits/the same number of 9 will equal a recurring decimal of the first digits. eg 23/99=0.2323232323....

Waw bro very nice solution

However i solved it by converting the number into an infinite series and then calculated limit of sum when number of terms approch to infinity

Aman Sharma - 6 years, 9 months ago

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Yeah Even I Did it the way.. @Callum Maddox did..

taught to me when we encountered our first c h a p t e r chapter in M a t h s Maths back in Cass IX

BTW @Aman Sharma Why don't you try converting 0.72 82 0.72\overline{82} in to a b \frac{a}{b} and find a + b a+b . The result is really ...

Arya :)

Arya Samanta - 6 years, 9 months ago

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Yea result is 1711

Aman Sharma - 6 years, 9 months ago

why do you subtract and x from 1000x?

Jt Hendrick - 6 years, 9 months ago

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Reason behind subtraction is to get a rational number (a/b form) from irrational number.

Parveen Soni - 6 years, 8 months ago
Isaiah Simeone
Sep 30, 2014

l e t m = ( x = 0. 712 ) let\quad m=(x=0.\overline { 712 } )

l e t n = ( 1000 x = 712. 712 ) let\quad n=(1000x=712.\overline { 712 })

n m : n-m:

999 x = 712 999x=712

x = 712 999 x=\frac { 712 }{ 999 }

a n s = 712 + 999 = 1711 ans=712+999=1711

712 is not a prime

Ronak Jain - 6 years, 8 months ago

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That is correct but the question said "coprime positive integers." This just means that they are prime in relation to each other. Essentially, just that the only factor the numbers share is 1, which is indeed the case with 712 and 999.

Michael Bartholic - 6 years, 7 months ago

Let x = a b x=\frac{a}{b} .Then: x = 0.712712712 x=0.712712712\dotsm Multiplying both sides of the equation by 1000 1000 ,we get: 1000 x = 712.712712712 1000x=712.712712712\dotsm Now here,s the trick: Subtract the first equation from the second equation: 1000 x x = 712.712712712 0.712712712 1000x-x=712.712712712\dotsm-0.712712712\dotsm Observe the the infinitely repeating 712 712 gets cancelled out and we are left with: 999 x = 712 x = a b = 712 999 999x=712\rightarrow\;x=\frac{a}{b}=\frac{712}{999} So a = 712 , b = 999 a=712,b=999 and a + b = 712 + 999 = 1711 a+b=712+999=\boxed{1711}

The easiest solution to this problem involves a bit of prior knowledge. As it turns out, fractions have a property where you can put any number over the same quantity of "9"s and that expression will equate to a repeating decimal of the top number. For example 23/99 = 0.23232323... Or 123/999 = 0.123123123123...

Furthermore, coprime simply means they are prime in relation to each other or in other words the only factor they share is 1.

Knowing this, figuring out the values of a and b is as easy as taking the repeating decimal "712" and putting it over 999. This does indeed equate to 0.712712712712.... And the numbers 712 and 999 are coprime as they will not reduce to be a simpler fraction.

The final step is just adding a + b or 712 + 999 which equals 1711.

M K
Jun 29, 2016

Let x/y=.712712712……which is 7 ̇1 ̇2 ̇ that is 712/999 Hence x=712 and y=999 then x+y=712+999=1711

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