Math Problem Statement

If the average of any consecutive odd number is 60. Find the sum of the numbers?

Solution

Let's break this problem down systematically.

You are given that the average of a series of consecutive odd numbers is 60, and you are asked to find the sum of these numbers.

Step 1: Definition of Average

If the average of a set of numbers is Average=60\text{Average} = 60, then the formula for the average is:

Average=Sum of the numbersNumber of terms\text{Average} = \frac{\text{Sum of the numbers}}{\text{Number of terms}}

Thus, we can express the sum of the numbers as:

Sum of the numbers=Average×Number of terms\text{Sum of the numbers} = \text{Average} \times \text{Number of terms}

Step 2: Properties of Consecutive Odd Numbers

Let’s denote the first odd number as aa, and since the numbers are consecutive odd numbers, the sequence would be:

a,a+2,a+4,,a+(n1)×2a, a+2, a+4, \ldots, a + (n-1) \times 2

Where nn is the number of terms. The average of these numbers is also the middle number, because in an arithmetic sequence (like consecutive odd numbers), the average is the same as the median (middle term).

Step 3: Setting Up the Equation

Since the average of the consecutive odd numbers is 60, and the middle number of this sequence is also 60, we can conclude that the sequence is symmetric around 60.

Now, let the number of terms be nn. If nn is odd, the middle term is 6060, and the remaining terms are symmetrically distributed around 60.

Thus, the sequence of odd numbers will look like:

60(n1),60(n3),,60,,60+(n3),60+(n1)60 - (n-1), 60 - (n-3), \ldots, 60, \ldots, 60 + (n-3), 60 + (n-1)

Step 4: Conclusion

For any number of terms, the sum of these consecutive odd numbers can be written as:

Sum of the numbers=60×n\text{Sum of the numbers} = 60 \times n

Thus, the sum of the consecutive odd numbers depends on how many terms nn are in the sequence. If more information about nn is provided, the sum can be calculated directly.

Would you like more details or clarification on any of these steps?

Here are five related questions you could explore:

  1. How would the solution change if the average were different?
  2. What if the consecutive numbers were even instead of odd?
  3. How would you find the number of terms nn if given additional conditions?
  4. How does the sum of odd numbers compare to the sum of even numbers for a given sequence?
  5. What is the effect of increasing the number of terms on the sum?

Tip: The average of an arithmetic sequence can also be used to quickly determine its middle term.

Ask a new question for Free

By Image

Drop file here or Click Here to upload

Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Arithmetic Sequence
Average of Consecutive Odd Numbers

Formulas

Average = (Sum of the numbers) / (Number of terms)
Sum of the numbers = Average × Number of terms

Theorems

Properties of Arithmetic Sequences
Symmetry of Consecutive Odd Numbers

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10