Question

Is 36, the sum of three consecutive odd natural numbers? Why?
pls ​

Answer 1

Answer:

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= 27/6

⇒ 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.