2015 AMC 8 Problem 9

Attempt Problem 9 of the 2015 AMC 8 below, then check your answer against the video solution and professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2015 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

9.

On her first day of work, Janabel sold one widget. On day two, she sold three widgets. On day three, she sold five widgets, and on each succeeding day, she sold two more widgets than she had sold on the previous day. How many widgets in total had Janabel sold after working 2020 days?
39 39
40 40
210 210
400 400
401 401
Answer: D
Concepts:arithmetic sequencesummation
Small hint:
The daily sales are the first 2020 positive odd numbers.
Big hint:
Pair the first and last terms, second and next-to-last terms, and so on.
Video solution:
Solution video thumbnail
Play video

Click to load, then click again to play

Written solution:
We want to find 1+3+⋯+39.1+3 + \cdots + 39. Pairing terms from the ends gives (1+39)+(3+37)+⋯+(19+21).\begin{aligned} &(1+39)+(3+37)+\cdots\\ &\qquad +(19+21). \end{aligned} There are 1010 pairs, and each pair sums to 40.40. Therefore, the sum is 10⋅40=400.10\cdot40=400.
Thus, the correct answer is D .
LIVE by Po-Shen Loh
Programs

LIVE Classes

Self-Paced Classes

Stars

Scholarship

About Us

Who Is Po-Shen Loh?

Email Contact

Newsletter

Jobs

Become a Star

For a more Thought Full world.

© 2026 Expii, Inc.