Question 486137: What is the sum of the first 80 comsecutive odd numbers? Tell whether it illustrates inductive or deductive reasoning,
Answer by chessace(471)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! I tried to answer this one several minutes ago with 1600 instead of 80, but it got clobbered in cyperspace. Hopefully, it's you again.
Answer = 6400
Reason: It's a theorem that the sum of first n consecutive odd numbers is n^2
The proof is by induction, it's not too difficult.
So inductive reasoning is illustrated if the proof is included.
If the theorem is used disregrading proof, that is deductive reasoning.
Really, both are illustrated if the process is complete enough.
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