Averages of Number Series

Consecutive numbers का average

Learning Objective

Use symmetry: for evenly spaced numbers, average = middle value.

🎯 Learning Objective

Use symmetry: for evenly spaced numbers, average = middle value.

💡 Concept

  • Evenly spaced numbers → average = (first + last) ÷ 2 = middle term
  • First n natural numbers → average = (n+1)/2
  • First n even numbers → average = n+1
  • First n odd numbers → average = n
  • Consecutive numbers with odd count → average is the middle number

🧮 Key Formulas

Evenly spaced: Avg = (first + last)/2

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1..n → (n+1)/2 | even → n+1 | odd → n

✏️ Easy Example

Q. Find the average of 21, 23, 25, 27, 29.

  1. Evenly spaced, middle term = 25

Answer: 25

🇮🇳 Real-Life Example

Seat numbers 41–45 in a train coach: the 'average seat' is 43, the middle one — no addition needed.

📝 Exam-Level Example

Q. The average of 5 consecutive numbers is 18. Find the largest.

  1. Middle number = 18
  2. Numbers: 16, 17, 18, 19, 20

Answer: 20

📝 Exam-Level Example

Q. Average of first 50 even numbers?

  1. Formula: n + 1 = 50 + 1

Answer: 51

🪄 Memory Trick

Consecutive-number questions: place the average in the MIDDLE and count outward.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Adding long series manually
  • ❌ Using (n+1)/2 for even-number series (that's for naturals)

🏆 Exam Tips

  • ✅ Three formulas: (n+1)/2, n+1, n — memorise
  • ✅ Even count series → average is midway between the two middle terms

📌 Summary

  • Evenly spaced → (first+last)/2
  • Average = middle term
  • Naturals (n+1)/2; evens n+1; odds n