Question

Problem asked——Find a quick and easy method to compute the sum of the first 100 counting numbers. No calculators allowed.

Help... I have to write 3 to 4 paragraphs on how I got the answer and I don’t understand this problem. It’s barely 10 and I’m extremely exhausted, I want nothing more than to sleep but of course, me being stupid, I have to do this as it’s due tomorrow first period and I couldn’t do it any sooner. I can figure out what to write for each paragraph but please help me and tell me what quick and easy method is supposed to be used for this problem... I know the final answer but the main question asked is what easy method was supposed to be used. Please help. It sucks to be me right now.

Answer 1

Explanation:

split the numbers into two groups (1 to 50 and 51 to 100), he could add them together vertically to get a sum of 101.

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + … + 48 + 49 + 50

100 + 99 + 98 + 97 + 96 + … + 53 + 52 + 51

1 + 100 = 101

2 + 99 = 101

3 + 98 = 101

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48 + 53 = 101

49 + 52 = 101

50 + 51 = 101

Final total would be 50(101) = 5050.

50 addition problems all adding up to 101 thats how i got 50x101