What is the <strong>MAXIMUM</strong> value of the sum of the numbers 36, 33, 30, 27, 24, ...?

  1. A. 240
  2. B. 237
  3. C. 234
  4. D. 231

Correct Answer: C. 234

Explanation

This is an arithmetic progression with a=36 and d=-3. The sum is maximized when all non-negative terms are included. The terms are positive until the 13th term which is 0. The sum of the first 13 terms is \frac{13}{2}[2(36) + (13-1)(-3)] = \frac{13}{2} = 234.

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