BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Nice question..Sequence/ Divisibility

Expert replies
Source: — Problem Solving |

by GMATGuruNY » Mon Jul 15, 2013 2:41 pm
rishianand7 wrote:36^2 + 37^2 + 38^2 + 39^2 + 40^2 + 41^2 + 42^2 + 43^2 + 44^2 = ?

(A) 14400 (B) 14440 (C) 14460 (D) 14500 (E) 14520
Try to determine the last two digits of the sum.
Rephrase the values in terms of 40² and work from the INSIDE OUT:

40²
39² + 41² = (40-1)² + (40+1)² = (40² - 2*40*1 + 1) + (40² + 2*40*1 + 1) = 2*40² + 2.
38² + 42² = (40-2)² + (40+2)² = (40² - 2*40*2 + 4) + (40² + 2*40*2 + 4) = 2*40² + 8.
37² + 43² = (40-3)² + (40+3)² = (40² - 2*40*3 + 9) + (40² + 2*40*3 + 9) = 2*40² + 18.
36² + 44² = (40-4)² + (40+4)² = (40² - 2*40*4 + 16) + (40² + 2*40*4 + 16) = 2*40² + 32.

The last two digits of the sum will be equal to the sum of the values in red:
2+8+18+32 = 60.

The correct answer is C.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Join the discussion

by Matt@VeritasPrep » Mon Jul 15, 2013 3:26 pm
Another way is to use the formula for the sum of the first n perfect squares: 1/6 * n * (n+1) * (2n+1)

(Sum of the first 44 perfect squares) - (Sum of the first 35 perfect squares) = Sum we want

Simplify first:

(1/6 * 44 * 45 * 89) - (1/6 * 35 * 36 * 71)

Simplify further:

= 1/6 * (44*45*89 - 35*36*71)

= 1/6 * 180 * (11 * 89 - 7 * 71)

= 30 * (11 * 89 - 7 * 71)

= 30 * (979 - 497)

= 10 * 3 * (482)

= 10 * 1446

= 14460
Join the discussion

by faraz_jeddah » Fri Jul 19, 2013 3:21 am
is this a typical gmat question?
Join the discussion

by GMATGuruNY » Fri Jul 19, 2013 4:18 am
faraz_jeddah wrote:is this a typical gmat question?
The posted problem is beyond the scope of the GMAT.
But even problems beyond the scope of the GMAT can yield helpful take-aways.
One take-away in my solution above: to know which answer choice is correct, we need only determine the last two digits of the sum.
A useful strategy that can be applied to other problems.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Join the discussion