Solution #42: The Five Numbers
Let n be then number in the middle of the series. We have the relationship
(n + 1)2 +
(n + 2)2 =
n2 +
(n - 1)2 +
(n - 2)2
Expanding and simplifying gives us
n(n-12) = 0
The only acceptable solution is n = 12. The five consecutive whole numbers are
10, 11, 12, 13 and 14
Source: Berrondom, Marie
Categories: Number sense, Square numbers, Algebra
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