Question:

From a book, a number of consecutive pages are missing. The sum of the page numbers of these pages is 9808. Which pages are missing?

Show Hint

Write the sum of n consecutive integers as n(2a+n-1)/2 and factor 19616 to find how many pages are missing and where they start.
Updated On: Jul 14, 2026
  • The page 9808 is missing.
  • The pages 291 up to 322 are missing.
  • The pages 291 up to and including 322 are missing
  • Either a or c
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Sum of n consecutive integers starting at a: n(2a+n-1)/2=9808 => n(2a+n-1)=19616=32x613 (613 is prime). n=32, 2a+31=613 => a=291. Pages 291-322 (32 pages). Check: sum=(32/2)(291+322)=16x613=9808 ✓. Option 2 ("up to 322") is ambiguous/excludes 322; option 3 explicitly includes it, matching arithmetic exactly.

Final Answer: Pages 291 to 322 inclusive, option (3).
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