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Coolmath Algebra
Sequences & Series Lesson 6 - Gauss's Problem and Arithmetic Series (page 1 of 7) 
---- This algebra lesson explains Gauss's Problem and introduces arithmetic series.

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Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777 - 1855) is one of the world's most famous mathematicians.

This story has been flying around for years...  who knows if it's really true or not!?

Gauss was about 9 years old -- already a super genius (much like Wile E. Coyote.)  His teacher hated math and hated Gauss (because he was so smart).

As usual, the teacher walked into the class and gave them a horribly tedious arithmetic problem.  They were to work on it and not bother him.

Here was the day's problem:

Add the integers from 1 to 100.

They got out their slate boards and chalk and started hammering away!

1 + 2 = 3  ...  3 + 3 = 6  ...  6 + 4 = 10  ...  10 + 5 = 15  ...  15 + 6 = 21  ...  21 + 7 = 28  ...  28 + 8 = 36  ...  36 + 9 = 45

The teacher quickly noticed that Gauss was not writing -- HA!  He had him now!

"CARL!  Why aren't you working?!"

"Because I already know the answer."

"Oh?  You're so smart -- why don't you share your answer with the class?"

"It's 5050."

"#*@#&*!"

It was true.  Gauss had figured it out...  In his head...  At 9 years old...  Do you hate him too?

Want to know how he did it?  It's a trick!

Continued on the next page

 The printing and distribution and/or downloading of these lessons is strictly prohibited.

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