A positive integer is lucky if can be represented as a sum of consecutive positive integers. Prove that:
a) the number is lucky,
b) the number is not lucky,
c) the product of any two lucky numbers is a lucky number.
A positive integer is lucky if can be represented as a sum of consecutive positive integers. Prove that:
a) the number is lucky,
b) the number is not lucky,
c) the product of any two lucky numbers is a lucky number.
a) We seek for seven consecutive integers such that . The equality gives , hence . As , number is lucky.
b) Suppose there exist ten consecutive integers, namely , such that . The equality gives , with no integer solution. Number is not lucky.
c) We claim that a number is lucky if and only if is odd. Suppose is a lucky number and write for a given positive integer . Then
hence , so is odd. Conversely, let be an odd number. As , the number is lucky.
We conclude noticing that the product of two odd numbers is odd.