The sum of thirty-two consecutive natural numbers is a perfect square. What is the least possible sum of the smallest and the largest of the thirty-two numbers?
A
81
No worries! We‘ve got your back. Try BYJU‘S free classes today!
B
36
No worries! We‘ve got your back. Try BYJU‘S free classes today!
C
49
Right on! Give the BNAT exam to get a 100% scholarship for BYJUS courses
D
64
No worries! We‘ve got your back. Try BYJU‘S free classes today!
Open in App
Solution
The correct option is C 49 Let the numbers be a,a+1,a+2,......,a+31. Sum of these numbers 32a+31×322=16(2a+31) As 16 is a perfect square, the least possible value of 2a + 31 = 49. Therefore, a = 9 and a + 31 = 40. The least possible sum = 49.