Last visit was: 24 Apr 2026, 04:57 It is currently 24 Apr 2026, 04:57
Close
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
Your Progress

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
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 24 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,811
Own Kudos:
810,950
 [7]
Given Kudos: 105,869
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,811
Kudos: 810,950
 [7]
Kudos
Add Kudos
7
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Nidzo
Joined: 26 Nov 2019
Last visit: 02 Aug 2025
Posts: 958
Own Kudos:
1,477
 [1]
Given Kudos: 59
Location: South Africa
Posts: 958
Kudos: 1,477
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
messi16
Joined: 13 Aug 2025
Last visit: 14 Apr 2026
Posts: 44
Own Kudos:
3
 [2]
Given Kudos: 3
Posts: 44
Kudos: 3
 [2]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
egmat
User avatar
e-GMAT Representative
Joined: 02 Nov 2011
Last visit: 22 Apr 2026
Posts: 5,632
Own Kudos:
33,433
 [2]
Given Kudos: 707
GMAT Date: 08-19-2020
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 5,632
Kudos: 33,433
 [2]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
The sum of the first n odd numbers starting from 1 always equals n squared.

Let me show you:
- First 1 odd number: 1 = 12
- First 2 odd numbers: 1 + 3 = 4 = 22
- First 3 odd numbers: 1 + 3 + 5 = 9 = 32
- First 4 odd numbers: 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 = 16 = 42

See the pattern? The sum of the first n odd consecutive integers = n2.

So the question is really asking: for what value of n does n2 = 1600?

n2 = 1600
n = √1600 = 40

Answer: D (40)

Why does this pattern work? Each time you add the next odd number, you're essentially adding a new 'L-shaped' layer to a square. Think of building a square with blocks — going from a 3×3 square to a 4×4 square, you need to add 7 blocks (the next odd number) along two edges plus the corner.
User avatar
pappal
Joined: 24 Nov 2022
Last visit: 23 Apr 2026
Posts: 319
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 96
Products:
Posts: 319
Kudos: 109
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
since 1+3+5+7+-------+2n-1=n^2
n^2=1600
n=40
Moderators:
Math Expert
109811 posts
Tuck School Moderator
853 posts