Sum of consecutive integers

This topic has expert replies
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 37
Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2015 6:00 pm
Thanked: 1 times

Sum of consecutive integers

by infiniti007 » Mon Oct 19, 2015 7:41 pm
The sum of k consecutive integers is 41. If the least integer is -40, then k =

A.) 40
B.) 41
C.) 80
D.) 81
E.) 82

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
Followed by:1906 members
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Mon Oct 19, 2015 8:05 pm
infiniti007 wrote:The sum of k consecutive integers is 41. If the least integer is -40, then k =

A.) 40
B.) 41
C.) 80
D.) 81
E.) 82
(-40) + (-39) + (-38) +...+ (-1) + 0 + 1 +...+ 38 + 39 + 40 = 0.
All of the values in red cancel out, yielding a sum of 0.

To yield a sum of 41, one more integer is needed:
(-40) + (-39) + (-38) + ...+ (-1) + 0 + 1...+ 38 + 39 + 40 + 41 = 41.

In the sum above, there are 40 integers to the left of 0, 41 integers to the right of 0, and 0 itself, for a total of k=82 integers.

The correct answer is E.
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