5 Questions
What was Gauss's answer to the sum of numbers 1 to 100?
5050
What technique did Gauss use to solve the sum of numbers 1 to 100?
Pairing numbers
What is the sum of each column when pairing the numbers 1 to 10 using Gauss's technique?
11
What did Gauss's lazy teacher ask the class to do?
Add the numbers 1 to 100
What was the purpose of Gauss sharing explanations of his result?
To understand it intuitively
Study Notes
Gauss's Famous Math Trick
- Gauss's answer to the sum of numbers 1 to 100 is 5,050.
- Gauss used a technique called "pairing numbers" to solve the sum of numbers 1 to 100.
Pairing Numbers Technique
- When pairing the numbers 1 to 10, each column adds up to 11 (1+10, 2+9, 3+8, etc.).
- Gauss used this technique to calculate the sum of numbers 1 to 100.
Origin of the Problem
- Gauss's lazy teacher asked the class to add up the numbers 1 to 100 as a punishment for misbehavior.
Sharing the Solution
- Gauss shared explanations of his result to show how he arrived at the answer.
- This helped to demonstrate his mathematical genius and problem-solving skills.
Test your math skills with this quiz on techniques for summing the numbers 1 to 100. Learn about the clever method used by mathematician Gauss to arrive at the answer effortlessly.
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