GreenlightTestPrep wrote:
If (-20) + (-19) + (-18) + (-17) + . . . + (-2x - 4) = 90, what is the value of x?
A) -24
B) -14
C) -10
D) 10
E) 14
First notice that (-20) + (-19) + (-18) + (-17) + . . . + 17 + 18 + 19 + 20 = 0
[because any pair of positive and negative numbers with the same magnitude must add to 0. For example, (-3) + 3 = 0, and (-11) + 11 = 0]So, we have:
(-20) + (-19) + (-18) + (-17) + . . . + 17 + 18 + 19 + 20 + 21 + 22 + ? + ? + ... + (-2x - 4) = 90
Simplify to get:
-0 + 21 + 22 + ? + ? + ... + (
-2x - 4) = 90
We can see that we won't need to add many consecutive integers (starting at 21) to get to a sum of 90
So, let's just keep adding integers until we reach 90
21 + 22 = 43
21 + 22 + 23 = 66
21 + 22 + 23 +
24 = 90 DONE!
So, it must be the case that
-2x - 4 =
24Add 4 to both sides to get: -2x = 28
Solve: x = -14
Answer: B
Cheers,
Brent