document.write( "Question 725436: Hi,
\n" ); document.write( "I know how to find the sum of n consecutive integers.
\n" ); document.write( "I use the formula: n(n+1)/2\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "But my problem is: The sum of n consecutive integers is 120. Find n.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "My approach is nsq+n = 240
\n" ); document.write( "Now what is the easy way to find n?\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I can do this by going from the answer to the question and guessing the number. But is there a easy way to find what n is.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Thanks,
\n" ); document.write( "Jay
\n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #444175 by KMST(5328)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
If you have studied polynomials and/or quadratic equations,
\n" ); document.write( "\"n%5E2%2Bn=240\" <--> \"n%5E2%2Bn-240=0\"
\n" ); document.write( "At that point you would solve either
\n" ); document.write( "by factoring,
\n" ); document.write( "or by \"completing the square\",
\n" ); document.write( "or by using the quadratic formula.
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "However, it is easier to solve \"n%28n%2B1%29=240\"
\n" ); document.write( "by finding two consecutive numbers whose product is 240.
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "You could find factors from 1 up, and they would come in pairs:
\n" ); document.write( "\"240=1%2A240\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"240=2%2A120\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"240=3%2A80\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"240=4%2A60\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"240=5%2A48\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"240=6%2A40\"
\n" ); document.write( "7 is not a factor
\n" ); document.write( "\"240=8%2A30\"
\n" ); document.write( "9 is not a factor
\n" ); document.write( "\"240=10%2A24\"
\n" ); document.write( "and so on.
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "But if you have some factoring practice, the answer will jump at you.
\n" ); document.write( "It is obvious that \"240=8%2A30%7D%7D%2C+right%3F%0D%0A%7B%7B%7B240=8%2A30\"=\"%288%2A2%29%2A%2830%2F2%29=16%2A15\" is the product of two consecutive numbers:
\n" ); document.write( "\"highlight%28n=15%29\" and \"highlight%28n%2B1=16%29\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"240=16%2A15\" is what you would need to figure out to solve \"n%5E2%2Bn-240=0\" by factoring, anyway.
\n" ); document.write( "
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