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2023 Math Kangaroo

Problem 20

Problem 20 · 2023 Math Kangaroo Medium
Algebra & Patterns Number Theory arithmetic-seriesdigit-sum

The sum of 2023 consecutive integers is 2023. What is the sum of the digits of the biggest of those numbers?

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Answer: A — 4
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Hint 1 of 2
The sum of an odd number of consecutive integers equals the middle term times how many there are.
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Hint 2 of 2
Find the middle value, step out to the biggest term, then add its digits.
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Approach: use the middle-term formula for consecutive integers
  1. For 2023 consecutive integers, the sum equals 2023 times the middle term.
  2. Since the sum is 2023, the middle term is 1.
  3. The biggest term is 1 + 1011 = 1012, whose digit sum is 1+0+1+2 = 4.
  4. So the answer is 4 (A).
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