Started on the wrong foot?

[Daniel Lawrence]

Hi all,

I just joined this forum as I am currently preparing applications for MFEs. I had a quick question about "random question" giving when registering. My "random" pick was this:

What is the summation of n consecutive integers from 1 to n?

And I typed in this response:

If n is odd, then the summation = (n-1)(n). If n is even, then the summation = ((n+1)(n))/2.

While I know this is correct, the registration page told it was not. So I am assuming the syntax of what I entered was not what was requested (either because I actually entered words or I did not "simplify" in the case of (n-1)(n) = n^2-n ) and the program didnt like me.

On a second note, after that problem was wrong I got a new "random" question and I had to answer it correctly before i could register. Really? That seems kind of weird....

Anyways...look forward to talking with you guys and gals

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Your answer is half right. The correct answer is n(n+1)/2 or (n+1)n/2 or (n+n^2)/2 regardless of n is odd or even. Try n=1. I should know since I wrote those questions.
If real people have problem get past these questions to sign up on Quantnet, it must be hard for automatic bots and spammers
Finally, welcome to Quantnet.

 

[Eugene Krel]

Andy is a trickster!