Last updated on July 15th, 2025
Odd numbers are the numbers that are not divisible by 2; for example, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11,… The sum of the consecutive odd numbers is the sum of the odd numbers. In this topic, we will learn about the sum of odd numbers.
The sum of odd numbers is adding the consecutive odd numbers together. The sum of odd numbers formula is sn = n2. By using the formula, we can easily calculate the sum of odd numbers from 1 to infinity. For instance, the sum of the first five consecutive odd numbers is: 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 = 25.
Odd numbers are the numbers that are not divisible by 2; the sum of n odd numbers can be calculated using the formula:
The sum of n odd numbers = n2, where n is the number of odd numbers
For example, let’s find the sum of the first 5 odd numbers
The sum of n odd numbers = n2
Here, n = 5
So, the sum of the first five odd numbers = 52 = 25
The sum of the first n odd numbers formula is n2. To understand how we get this formula, let’ look at the pattern of odd numbers. The general form of odd numbers is 2n -1 where the common difference is 2.
For the sequence of odd numbers: 1, 3, 5, 7,… (2n - 1)
d = 2
So, sn = 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + …. + (2n - 1)
The sum of n terms of an arithmetic sequence is: Sn = n/2 (2a + (n - 1)d)
Substituting the value of a and d, here, a = 1, d = 2(3 - 1 = 2)
Sn = n/2 (2 × 1 + n - 1)2)
= n/2 (2 + 2n - 2)
= n/2 × 2n
= n2
So, the sum of n odd numbers is n2.
Now we will find the sum of odd numbers not starting from 1. So let’s find the sum of odd numbers from 11 to 60.
The sum of the first n odd numbers is: Sn = n2
The sum of odd numbers not starting from 1, Sn = (n/2)(a + l), where a is the first term and l is the last term.
Here, we will find the sum of n odd numbers from 11 to 60, so the sequence is 11, 13, 15, 17, 19,…, 59
To find the sum, first we will find n. Here, a = 11 and d = 2
an = a + (n - 1)d
59 = 11 + (n - 1)2
59 = 11 + (2n - 2)
59 = 2n + 9
2n = 59 - 9
2n = 50
n = 50/2
= 25
Here, n = 25
So, sn = n/2 (a + l)
Where l is the last term
= 25/2(11 + 59)
= 25/2 + (70)
= 25 × 35
= 875
The natural numbers are the counting numbers starting from 1. The sum of n natural numbers is: Sn = n(n + 1)/2
Let’s find the sum of the first 10 natural numbers.
Here, n = 1 and d = 1
So, sn = n(n + 1)/2
= 10(10+ 1)/2 = 10 × 11/2
=110/2 = 55
Even numbers are the numbers that are evenly divisible by 2. The sum of the first n even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8,…, 2n)can be calculated using the formula: Sn = n(n + 1), where n is the number of terms.
Let’s find the sum of the first 10 even numbers.
Here, n = 10
So, S10 = 10(10 + 1)
=10 × 11
= 110
The sum of the squares of n natural numbers can be calculated using the formula: (n(n + 1)(2n + 1))/6. Where n is the number of terms.
For example, let’s find the sum of the squares of 5 natural numbers
The first 5 natural numbers are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
The sum of squares of n natural numbers: S5 = (5 (5 + 1) ((2×5) + 1))/6
= (5 (6) (11))/6
= 55
The GP can be represented as a, ar, ar2, …, arn - 1, where a is the first term, r is the common ratio. The sum of n terms of GP: Sn = a(1 - rn)/(1 - r), where r ≠ 1.
Sum of infinite terms of GP: Sn = a/(1 - r), where |r| < 1.
In AP, the difference between any two consecutive terms will be the same. The sum of n terms of an AP is: Sn = (n/2)(2a + (n - 1)d), where ‘a’ is the first term and ‘d’ is the common difference.
By mastering the sum of odd numbers, students can make calculations faster and improve their mental math skills. Here are some tips and tricks to master the sum of odd numbers.
Students make errors when finding the sum of odd numbers. Here are some mistakes and the ways to avoid them in the sum of odd numbers.
Find the sum of the first 5 odd numbers?
The sum of the first 5 odd numbers is 25.
The first five odd numbers are: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9.
The sum of odd numbers can be calculated using the formula: Sn = n2
= 52 = 25.
Find the sum of odd numbers between 10 and 30?
The sum of odd numbers between 10 and 30 is 200.
The odd numbers between 10 and 30 are 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29.
Here, a = 11
l = 29
d = 2
an = a + (n - 1)d
29 = 11 + (n - 1)2
29 = 11 + 2n - 2
29 = 2n + 9
2n = 20
n = 20/2 = 10
So, the sum = n/2 (a + l)
= (10/2)(11 + 29)
= 5 × 40
= 200
Find the sum of the first 5 odd numbers, starting from 5?
The sum of the first 5 odd numbers starting from 5 is 45.
The odd numbers starting from 5: 5, 7, 9, 11, 13
The sum of n terms = (n/2)(2a + (n - 1)d)
Here, n = 5
a = 5
d = 2
So, Sn = (5/2)(2 × 5 + (5 - 1)2)
= (5/2)(10 + 8)
= (5/2) × 18
= 45
Find the sum of odd numbers from 51 to 71?
The sum of odd numbers from 51 to 71 is 671.
Here,
a = 51
l = 71
Number of terms(n) = an = a + (n - 1)d
71 = 51 + (n - 1)2
71 = 51 + 2n - 2
2n = 22
n = 11
Finding the sum using the formula: (n/2)(a + l)
= 11/2(51 + 71)
= 11/2(122)
= 671
Find the sum of odd numbers from 1 to 99?
The sum of odd numbers from 1 to 99 is 2500.
Here, a = 1
l = 99
The number of terms can be calculated using = an = a + (n - 1)d
99 = 1 + (n - 1)2
99 = 1 + (2n - 2)
2n = 99 - (-1)
2n = 100
n = 50
The sum of n odd numbers: Sn = n2
502 = 2500
Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana has almost two years of teaching experience. She is a number ninja as she loves numbers. Her interest in numbers can be seen in the way she cracks math puzzles and hidden patterns.
: She loves to read number jokes and games.