The first 7 counting numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 average to their middle number 4, so they add to 7×4 or 28. Then the next two, 8×9 = 72 and 28+72=100. So: 1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8×9 = 100 28+72 = 100 Edwin