solution: We use the formula $\left(\frac{\text{first term}}{1-(\text{common ratio})}\right)$ for the sum of a geometric series to get the sum $\left(\frac{4}{1-\frac{3}{a}}\right)=\frac{4}{\frac{a-3}{a}}=\frac{4a}{a-3}$. We want $\frac{4a}{a-3}$ to be a perfect square $b^2$, where $b$ is a positive integer. So we have $4a=b^2(a-3)$ and start trying values for $b$ until we get a positive integer $a$.
  If $b=1$, then $4a=a-3$, but that means $a=-1$.
  If $b=2$, then $4a=4(a-3)\qquad\Rightarrow 0=-12$.
  If $b=3$, then $4a=9(a-3)\qquad\Rightarrow -5a=-27$, which doesn't yield an integer value for $a$.
  If $b=4$, then $4a=16(a-3)\qquad\Rightarrow -12a=-48$, so $a=\boxed{4}$, which is a positive integer.
  
  OR
  
  For an infinite geometric series to converge, the common ratio must be between $-1$ and $1$. Thus $\frac{3}{a}$ must be less than 1, which means $a$ is greater than 3. We try $a=4$ and get that $\left(\frac{4}{1-\frac{3}{4}}\right)=\left(\frac{4}{\frac{1}{4}}\right)=4\cdot4=16$, which is a perfect square.
prompt.content: <|im_start|>system
  You are a helpful assistant.<|im_end|>
  <|im_start|>user
  Consider the geometric series $4+\frac{12}{a}+\frac{36}{a^2}+\cdots$. If the sum is a perfect square, what is the smallest possible value of $a$ where $a$ is a positive integer?
  Please reason step by step, and put your final answer within \boxed{{}}.<|im_end|>
  <|im_start|>assistant
  
prompt.role: user
extra_info.answer: 4
extra_info.question: Consider the geometric series $4+\frac{12}{a}+\frac{36}{a^2}+\cdots$. If the sum is a perfect square, what is the smallest possible value of $a$ where $a$ is a positive integer?
extra_info.split: test