2019 AMC 12A Problem 4

Attempt Problem 4 of the 2019 AMC 12A below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2019 AMC 12A solutions, or check the answer key.

All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

4.

What is the greatest number of consecutive integers whose sum is 45?45?
99
2525
4545
9090
120120
Answer: D
Concepts:arithmetic sequencesymmetry
Small hint:
The integers are allowed to be negative
Big hint:
Adding −44,−43,…,44-44, -43, \ldots, 44 contributes 0,0, so extend the run just past 4545
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 L≤90,L\le90, proving that this run is longest.
Thus, the correct answer is D.
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