2006 SMT/General Problems/Problem 10

Revision as of 17:10, 13 January 2020 by Dividend (talk | contribs) (Solution)

Solution

The sum of the first n positive odd integers is $n^2$. This comes from the fact that $(n+1)^2-n^2 = 2n+1$ (Taking a sum of this equation beginning with $n = 0$ will yield the desired result as the LHS will telescope). Therefore, the sum of the first 2006 odd integers is $2006^2$. The answer we are looking for is $\sqrt{2006^2} = \boxed{2006}$