Q4 of 33 Page 41

Can the sum of three consecutive odd numbers be 36? Why?

If possible, let the three consecutive odd numbers be 2x + 1,2x + 3,2x + 5(we take 2x + 1 to make sure that it is not divisible by 2,i.e. it is a odd number(here x is a natural number))

Their sum = 36


2x + 1 + 2x + 3 + 2x + 5 = 36


6x + 9 = 36


6x = 27



x = 4.5


2x + 1 = 2 × 4.5 + 1 = 10


According to our assumption x must be a natural number, but here it is not.


As a result of which 2x + 1 is also not an odd number.


Hence, sum of three consecutive odd numbers cannot be 36.


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