The sum of four consecutive odd numbers is equal to the sum : GMAT Problem Solving (PS)
Check GMAT Club App Tracker for the Latest School Decision Releases http://gmatclub.com/AppTrack

 It is currently 06 Dec 2016, 02:20

### GMAT Club Daily Prep

#### Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

# Events & Promotions

###### Events & Promotions in June
Open Detailed Calendar

# The sum of four consecutive odd numbers is equal to the sum

Author Message
TAGS:

### Hide Tags

Intern
Joined: 09 Aug 2011
Posts: 9
Location: India
Concentration: Finance, Strategy
GMAT Date: 09-30-2011
WE: Corporate Finance (Energy and Utilities)
Followers: 0

Kudos [?]: 58 [8] , given: 15

The sum of four consecutive odd numbers is equal to the sum [#permalink]

### Show Tags

21 Sep 2011, 10:52
8
KUDOS
46
This post was
BOOKMARKED
00:00

Difficulty:

95% (hard)

Question Stats:

25% (04:23) correct 75% (05:20) wrong based on 839 sessions

### HideShow timer Statistics

The sum of four consecutive odd numbers is equal to the sum of 3 consecutive even numbers. Given that the middle term of the even numbers is greater than 101 and lesser than 200, how many such sequences can be formed?

(A) 12
(B) 17
(C) 25
(D) 33
(E) 50
[Reveal] Spoiler: OA

Last edited by Bunuel on 25 Sep 2013, 00:36, edited 1 time in total.
RENAMED THE TOPIC.
Math Forum Moderator
Joined: 20 Dec 2010
Posts: 2021
Followers: 162

Kudos [?]: 1668 [3] , given: 376

### Show Tags

21 Sep 2011, 11:46
3
KUDOS
2
This post was
BOOKMARKED
bindiyajoisher wrote:
The sum of four consecutive odd numbers is equal to the sum of 3 consecutive even numbers. Given that the middle term of the even numbers is greater than 101 and lesser than 200, how many such sequences can be formed?
(A) 12
(B) 17
(C) 25
(D) 33
(E) 50

Four consecutive odd numbers: k-2, k, k+2, k+4
Three consecutive even numbers: n-2, n, n+2

k-2+k+k+2+k+4=n-2+n+n+2
4k+4=3n
4(k+1)=3n
k+1=(3/4)n
k=(3/4)n-1

All n's that's divisible by 4 will have an integral k. So, we need to find out how many such n's are available within given range:

We know,
101<n<200
104<=n<=196

Count=(196-104)/4+1=92/4+1=23+1=24

Ans: 24.
_________________
Math Forum Moderator
Joined: 20 Dec 2010
Posts: 2021
Followers: 162

Kudos [?]: 1668 [0], given: 376

### Show Tags

21 Sep 2011, 11:55
bindiyajoisher wrote:
but the OA is 12

Yeah!!! So I see. I'll wait for few others to point out the error. I can't think where I may be going wrong. BTW, what's the source of the problem?
_________________
Intern
Joined: 09 Aug 2011
Posts: 9
Location: India
Concentration: Finance, Strategy
GMAT Date: 09-30-2011
WE: Corporate Finance (Energy and Utilities)
Followers: 0

Kudos [?]: 58 [0], given: 15

### Show Tags

21 Sep 2011, 12:01
it is from the test from the institute I have enrolled
Intern
Joined: 01 Nov 2010
Posts: 8
Location: United States
GMAT Date: 03-30-2012
WE: Pharmaceuticals (Health Care)
Followers: 0

Kudos [?]: 6 [0], given: 0

### Show Tags

21 Sep 2011, 12:17
fluke wrote:
bindiyajoisher wrote:
The sum of four consecutive odd numbers is equal to the sum of 3 consecutive even numbers. Given that the middle term of the even numbers is greater than 101 and lesser than 200, how many such sequences can be formed?
(A) 12
(B) 17
(C) 25
(D) 33
(E) 50

Four consecutive odd numbers: k-2, k, k+2, k+4
Three consecutive even numbers: n-2, n, n+2

k-2+k+k+2+k+4=n-2+n+n+2
4k+4=3n
4(k+1)=3n
k+1=(3/4)n
k=(3/4)n-1

All n's that's divisible by 4 will have an integral k. So, we need to find out how many such n's are available within given range:

We know,
101<n<200
104<=n<=196

Count=(196-104)/4+1=92/4+1=23+1=24

Ans: 24.

k-2, k, k+2, k+4 n-2, n, n+2

Why did you take the minus??? Why not :
Four consecutive odd numbers: O, O+2, O+4, O+6
Three consecutive even numbers: E, E+2, E+4
O+O+2+ O+4+ O+6 = E+ E+2+E+4
4O + 12 = 3E + 6
4O + 6 = 3E
4O = 3(E-2)
O = 3(E-2)/4
Intern
Status: Need to read faster and get less distracted by the ticking clock!
Affiliations: Golden Key
Joined: 19 Nov 2010
Posts: 21
Location: Toronto, ON
Followers: 0

Kudos [?]: 17 [6] , given: 4

### Show Tags

21 Sep 2011, 12:27
6
KUDOS
4
This post was
BOOKMARKED
A

1+3+5+7 = 16
3+5+7+9 = 24
5+7+9+11=32 ... so you can see the sum of 4 odd numbers increment by 8.

Therefore all even number that are divisible by 8 between 101-200 will have a possible series that adds up to it.. therefore 200-101/8 gives you 12.75 = 12!
Math Forum Moderator
Joined: 20 Dec 2010
Posts: 2021
Followers: 162

Kudos [?]: 1668 [2] , given: 376

### Show Tags

21 Sep 2011, 12:41
2
KUDOS
1
This post was
BOOKMARKED
fluke wrote:
bindiyajoisher wrote:
The sum of four consecutive odd numbers is equal to the sum of 3 consecutive even numbers. Given that the middle term of the even numbers is greater than 101 and lesser than 200, how many such sequences can be formed?
(A) 12
(B) 17
(C) 25
(D) 33
(E) 50

Four consecutive odd numbers: k-2, k, k+2, k+4
Three consecutive even numbers: n-2, n, n+2

k-2+k+k+2+k+4=n-2+n+n+2
4k+4=3n
4(k+1)=3n
k+1=(3/4)n
k=(3/4)n-1

All n's that's divisible by 4 will have an integral k. So, we need to find out how many such n's are available within given range:

We know,
101<n<200
104<=n<=196

Count=(196-104)/4+1=92/4+1=23+1=24

Ans: 24.

Yes, now I understand.

(3/4)n should be even to make the k an ODD integer; I just considered integer before.

Thus, n must have at least three 2's in it, or n must be divisible by 8.

Count of numbers divisible by 8 between 101 and 200 is 12.

Ans: "A"
**********************

thanks folks
_________________
Manager
Status: Still Struggling
Joined: 02 Nov 2010
Posts: 138
Location: India
GMAT Date: 10-15-2011
GPA: 3.71
WE: Information Technology (Computer Software)
Followers: 5

Kudos [?]: 79 [1] , given: 8

### Show Tags

21 Sep 2011, 23:34
1
KUDOS
Hi,
pls help me proceed, my style...or tell me wats wrong in my approach:

odd numbers : (2a+1)+(2a+3)+(2a+5)+(2a+7) = 8a +16
even numbers:(2b)+(2b+2)+(2b+4) = 6b + 6
hence,
8a+16=6b+6
a= (3b-5)/4

..how to proceed from here?
_________________

Knewton Free Test 10/03 - 710 (49/37)
Princeton Free Test 10/08 - 610 (44/31)
Kaplan Test 1- 10/10 - 630
Veritas Prep- 10/11 - 630 (42/37)
MGMAT 1 - 10/12 - 680 (45/34)

Manager
Status: Essaying
Joined: 27 May 2010
Posts: 153
Location: Ghana
Concentration: Finance, Finance
Schools: Cambridge
GMAT 1: 690 Q47 V37
GPA: 3.9
WE: Accounting (Education)
Followers: 1

Kudos [?]: 9 [0], given: 8

### Show Tags

22 Sep 2011, 01:03
fluke can you elaborate...
Math Forum Moderator
Joined: 20 Dec 2010
Posts: 2021
Followers: 162

Kudos [?]: 1668 [3] , given: 376

### Show Tags

22 Sep 2011, 02:08
3
KUDOS
2
This post was
BOOKMARKED
liftoff wrote:
fluke can you elaborate...

The idea is simple:

If k is odd
AND n is even.

Why did I consider:
n-2, n, n+2: For the sake of simplicity, because we are given that
101<n<200 (Middle term of the even number)

According to given condition:
Sum of 4 consecutive integers=Sum of 3 even integers
k-2+k+k+2+k+4=n-2+n+n+2
4k+4=3n
4(k+1)=3n
k=(3/4)n-1;

Now, we know that n(middle term of the even sequence) is between 101 and 200, exclusive

So, 101<n<200

But, we should also conform to the fact that k is ODD.

How can we get k as odd
Say n=102;
k=(3/4)*102-1=76.5-1=75.5(It is NOT ODD); so n=102 IS not a possible/valid sequence
Likewise n=103; will also not give k as odd;
n=104;
k=(3/4)*104-1=77(ODD)

We see that if n=A multiple of 8, then k becomes ODD. How so?

4*Even=4*2x=Even
So, n must be in the form of 8x.

105,106,107,108,109,110,111(They are not divisible by 8), thus k can't be an ODD integer

112 is divisible by 8.

So, if we find all the values from 101 to 200 that are divisible by 8, we will have our count. The sequence will be.

1st: 102,104,106
2nd: 110,112,114
3rd: 118,120,122
...
12th: 190,192,194
Note: we just have to care about the middle term. The first term and last term will be follow: +-2.

Also, so far k is ANY ODD integer, we are good.
_________________
Veritas Prep GMAT Instructor
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Posts: 7066
Location: Pune, India
Followers: 2084

Kudos [?]: 13279 [33] , given: 221

### Show Tags

22 Sep 2011, 02:34
33
KUDOS
Expert's post
18
This post was
BOOKMARKED
bindiyajoisher wrote:
The sum of four consecutive odd numbers is equal to the sum of 3 consecutive even numbers. Given that the middle term of the even numbers is greater than 101 and lesser than 200, how many such sequences can be formed?
(A) 12
(B) 17
(C) 25
(D) 33
(E) 50

Sum of four consecutive odd numbers:
(2a - 3) + (2a - 1) + (2a + 1) + (2a + 3) = 8a

Sum of three consecutive even numbers:
(2b - 2) + 2b + (2b + 2) = 6b

Given 8a = 6b or a/b = 3/4, a and b can be any integers. So, 'a' has to be a multiple of 3 and 'b' has to be a multiple of 4. Possible solutions are: a = 3, b = 4; a = 6, b = 8; a = 9, b = 12 etc
Since 101 < 2b < 200 i.e.
51 <= b < 100
Since b also has to be a multiple of 4, the values that b can take are 52, 56, 60, 64 ... 96
Number of values b can take = (Last term - First term)/Common Difference + 1 = (96 - 52)/4 + 1 = 12
_________________

Karishma
Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor
My Blog

Get started with Veritas Prep GMAT On Demand for $199 Veritas Prep Reviews GMAT Club Legend Joined: 09 Sep 2013 Posts: 12878 Followers: 559 Kudos [?]: 158 [0], given: 0 Re: Consecutive numbers [#permalink] ### Show Tags 24 Sep 2013, 14:47 Hello from the GMAT Club BumpBot! Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos). Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email. _________________ Intern Joined: 14 Oct 2012 Posts: 6 Followers: 0 Kudos [?]: 4 [1] , given: 16 Re: The sum of four consecutive odd numbers is equal to the sum [#permalink] ### Show Tags 13 Nov 2013, 01:48 1 This post received KUDOS bindiyajoisher wrote: The sum of four consecutive odd numbers is equal to the sum of 3 consecutive even numbers. Given that the middle term of the even numbers is greater than 101 and lesser than 200, how many such sequences can be formed? (A) 12 (B) 17 (C) 25 (D) 33 (E) 50 We need to choose n : 101 < n < 200 and n is even, and (n-2) + n + (n+2) = sum of 4 consecutive odd numbers. I am assuming the 4 consecutive odd numbers to be e-3, e-1, e+1, e+3 where e could be an even integer > 3. Hence: (n-2) + n + (n+2) = e-3 + e-1 + e+1 + e+3 3n = 4e Let us analyse the above equation. For the above equation to hold true, e should be a multiple of 6 (as it should have a 3 in it and is an even) and n should be a multiple of 8 (because n should have factors 4 and 2 as 3 is a prime already and 4e has these factors in RHS). This is the least requirement. So every multiple of 8 will satisfy the above equation if I do not restrict e. So possible values of n(for no restriction on e) = all multiples of 8 between 101 and 200 = 12. Hope I made my point clear GMAT Club Legend Joined: 09 Sep 2013 Posts: 12878 Followers: 559 Kudos [?]: 158 [0], given: 0 Re: The sum of four consecutive odd numbers is equal to the sum [#permalink] ### Show Tags 12 Apr 2015, 03:03 Hello from the GMAT Club BumpBot! Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos). Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email. _________________ Director Joined: 07 Aug 2011 Posts: 582 Concentration: International Business, Technology GMAT 1: 630 Q49 V27 Followers: 3 Kudos [?]: 386 [1] , given: 75 The sum of four consecutive odd numbers is equal to the sum [#permalink] ### Show Tags 12 Apr 2015, 08:37 1 This post received KUDOS krishnasty wrote: Hi, pls help me proceed, my style...or tell me wats wrong in my approach: odd numbers : (2a+1)+(2a+3)+(2a+5)+(2a+7) = 8a +16 even numbers:(2b)+(2b+2)+(2b+4) = 6b + 6 hence, 8a+16=6b+6 a= (3b-5)/4 ..how to proceed from here? odd numbers : (2a+1)+(2a+3)+(2a+5)+(2a+7) = 8a +16 = $$8K_1$$ even numbers:(2b)+(2b+2)+(2b+4) = 6b + 6= 6(b+1) we have to find number which is both multiple of 6 and 8. lets looks at the minimum sum 102+104+106 = 312 = 75+77+79+81 lets looks at maximum sum = 198+200 +202 = 600=197+ 199 + 201 + 203 so 312<=6(b+1) <= 600 and 6(b+1) should be divisible by 6 and 8 . 51<=b<=99, off these values whenever b+1 is multiple of 4 , 6(b+1) will be divisible by 8 and 6 too . 52 is first term and 96 is last , N= 12 . hope it helps . _________________ Thanks, Lucky _______________________________________________________ Kindly press the to appreciate my post !! Manager Joined: 09 Jun 2015 Posts: 101 Followers: 0 Kudos [?]: 4 [0], given: 0 Re: The sum of four consecutive odd numbers is equal to the sum [#permalink] ### Show Tags 17 Apr 2016, 07:04 bindiyajoisher wrote: The sum of four consecutive odd numbers is equal to the sum of 3 consecutive even numbers. Given that the middle term of the even numbers is greater than 101 and lesser than 200, how many such sequences can be formed? (A) 12 (B) 17 (C) 25 (D) 33 (E) 50 2x-1+2x+1+2x+3+2x+5=2y+2y+2+2y+4 8x+8=6y+6 6y=8x+2 2y=(8x+2)/3 when x=2, y=3 The first set is 3+5+7+9=6+8+10 The second set is 9+11+13+15 = 14+16+18 Third set is 15+17+19+21 = 22+24+26 If you observe carefully, you get the pattern. Right hand side is what we want. The even numbers start with 6 and the next numbers 8 added to the previous number. We get 12 numbers between 1 and 100. Similarly, we get 12 numbers between 101 and 200. Senior Manager Joined: 07 Dec 2014 Posts: 454 Followers: 3 Kudos [?]: 76 [0], given: 2 The sum of four consecutive odd numbers is equal to the sum [#permalink] ### Show Tags 17 Apr 2016, 13:13 the sums must be a multiple of 8=(4)(2) and 6=(3)(2) brief trial and error confirms that sums are equal to multiples of 24 the ratio of even sum to middle even term=3:1 even sums must be＞(3)(101)=303 and＜(3)(200)=600 only 12 multiples of 24 occur within this range 12 sequences can be formed Intern Joined: 26 Sep 2015 Posts: 3 Followers: 0 Kudos [?]: 2 [1] , given: 0 Re: The sum of four consecutive odd numbers is equal to the sum [#permalink] ### Show Tags 29 May 2016, 14:59 1 This post received KUDOS 1 This post was BOOKMARKED My ELI5 version: Find a pattern. 1+3+5+7 = 16 3+5+7+9 = 24 5+7+9+11 = 32 From these we have determined that the sums will always be limited to a multiple of 8. Now we take a look at the limitation set by the problem. 101<n<200 The first multiple of 8 that is greater than 101 is 104. The last multiple of 8 that is less than 200 is 192. 192-104 = 88 88/8 = 11 11+1(adding back the 104) = 12 Manager Joined: 20 Oct 2015 Posts: 51 Followers: 0 Kudos [?]: 1 [0], given: 8 Re: The sum of four consecutive odd numbers is equal to the sum [#permalink] ### Show Tags 06 Jul 2016, 02:30 VeritasPrepKarishma wrote: bindiyajoisher wrote: The sum of four consecutive odd numbers is equal to the sum of 3 consecutive even numbers. Given that the middle term of the even numbers is greater than 101 and lesser than 200, how many such sequences can be formed? (A) 12 (B) 17 (C) 25 (D) 33 (E) 50 Sum of four consecutive odd numbers: (2a - 3) + (2a - 1) + (2a + 1) + (2a + 3) = 8a Sum of three consecutive even numbers: (2b - 2) + 2b + (2b + 2) = 6b Given 8a = 6b or a/b = 3/4, a and b can be any integers. So, 'a' has to be a multiple of 3 and 'b' has to be a multiple of 4. Possible solutions are: a = 3, b = 4; a = 6, b = 8; a = 9, b = 12 etc Since 101 < 2b < 200 i.e. 51 <= b < 100 Since b also has to be a multiple of 4, the values that b can take are 52, 56, 60, 64 ... 96 Number of values b can take = (Last term - First term)/Common Difference + 1 = (96 - 52)/4 + 1 = 12 awesome explanation thanks million Karishma yet I have a qustion since 101<2b<100 why b must be equal to 51? because 2b must be at least 102?thats why? can we say 52<= b<= 98 ? isnit better? thanks again. Kamran Veritas Prep GMAT Instructor Joined: 16 Oct 2010 Posts: 7066 Location: Pune, India Followers: 2084 Kudos [?]: 13279 [1] , given: 221 Re: The sum of four consecutive odd numbers is equal to the sum [#permalink] ### Show Tags 06 Jul 2016, 20:01 1 This post received KUDOS Expert's post kamranko wrote: VeritasPrepKarishma wrote: bindiyajoisher wrote: The sum of four consecutive odd numbers is equal to the sum of 3 consecutive even numbers. Given that the middle term of the even numbers is greater than 101 and lesser than 200, how many such sequences can be formed? (A) 12 (B) 17 (C) 25 (D) 33 (E) 50 Sum of four consecutive odd numbers: (2a - 3) + (2a - 1) + (2a + 1) + (2a + 3) = 8a Sum of three consecutive even numbers: (2b - 2) + 2b + (2b + 2) = 6b Given 8a = 6b or a/b = 3/4, a and b can be any integers. So, 'a' has to be a multiple of 3 and 'b' has to be a multiple of 4. Possible solutions are: a = 3, b = 4; a = 6, b = 8; a = 9, b = 12 etc Since 101 < 2b < 200 i.e. 51 <= b < 100 Since b also has to be a multiple of 4, the values that b can take are 52, 56, 60, 64 ... 96 Number of values b can take = (Last term - First term)/Common Difference + 1 = (96 - 52)/4 + 1 = 12 awesome explanation thanks million Karishma yet I have a qustion since 101<2b<100 why b must be equal to 51? because 2b must be at least 102?thats why? can we say 52<= b<= 98 ? isnit better? thanks again. Kamran Since 2b must be greater than 101, 2b must be at least 102 i.e. b must be at least 51. Since 2b must be less than 200, b must be less than 100 so b can be 99 at the most. _________________ Karishma Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor My Blog Get started with Veritas Prep GMAT On Demand for$199

Veritas Prep Reviews

Re: The sum of four consecutive odd numbers is equal to the sum   [#permalink] 06 Jul 2016, 20:01

Go to page    1   2    Next  [ 24 posts ]

Similar topics Replies Last post
Similar
Topics:
2 What is the sum of the first 100 positive odd numbers? 4 25 Nov 2016, 01:26
If the sum of a list of consecutive odd integers is 5, which of the fo 1 16 Aug 2016, 05:08
2 The sum of all consecutive odd integers from −21 to 31, inclusive, is 2 27 Jun 2015, 02:32
16 What is the value of n if the sum of the consecutive odd 6 05 Nov 2013, 03:15
7 If the sum of the first four numbers in a list of six consecutive even 9 04 Aug 2010, 10:03
Display posts from previous: Sort by