What is the sum of the first 55 consecutive odd numbers?

Re: What is the sum of the first 55 consecutive odd numbers?

Mmmmmm....this is an interesting one !!  Let's see if we can detect a "pattern"

1 = 1

1 + 3 = 4

1 + 3 + 5 = 9

1 + 3 + 5 +7 =  16

Anything "jump out" at you ??

Note that the first one is just 1^2

The second is just 2^2

Thr third one is just 3^2

So...it appears that the sum of the first n consecutive odd numbers is just n^2

I'll let you take it from there......

BTW...for "extra credit"....see if you could find a pattern for the sum of the first n consecutive even numbers!!