For any real number a and positive integer k, define (ka)=k(k−1)(k−2)⋯(2)(1)a(a−1)(a−2)⋯(a−(k−1)) What is (100−21)÷(10021)?
(A)
−199
(B)
−197
(C)
−1
(D)
197
Solution — click to reveal
We expand both the numerator and the denominator. (100−21)÷(10021)=(100)(99)⋯(1)(21)(21−1)(21−2)⋯(21−(100−1))(100)(99)⋯(1)(−21)(−21−1)(−21−2)⋯(−21−(100−1))=(21)(21−1)(21−2)⋯(21−99)(−21)(−21−1)(−21−2)⋯(−21−99) Now, note that −21−1=21−2, −21−2=21−3, etc.; in essence, −21−n=21−(n+1). We can then simplify the numerator and cancel like terms. (21)(21−1)(21−2)⋯(21−99)(−21)(−21−1)(−21−2)⋯(−21−99)=(21)(21−1)(21−2)⋯(21−99)(21−1)(21−2)(21−3)⋯(21−100)=2121−100=21−2199=−199