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2019 AMC 12A Problem 4

Problem 4 of 25EasierAlgebra

What is the greatest number of consecutive integers whose sum is 45?45?

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Solution

Negative integers are allowed. The integers from 44-44 to 4444 sum to 0,0, so the integers from 44-44 to 4545 sum to 45.45. This run has 45(44)+1=9045 - (-44) + 1 = 90 integers. Conversely, if LL consecutive integers have sum 45,45, then twice their sum is LL times an integer, so 9090 is a multiple of L.L. Hence L90,L\le90, proving that this run is longest. Thus, the correct answer is D.

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Concepts: arithmetic sequence · symmetry

Problem text and solution from the LIVE past-contest archive. See also the AoPS wiki page for community solutions.