Easy question: w/ 4 consec. numbers, why is product of 2 consec. always biggest?

saleh50

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if i have four consecutive numbers for example 5 6 7 8 i want to know why always sum of multiply every two consecutive numbers will always be greater than any combination else. for example ((8*7)+(6*5)) will always be greater than ((8*6)+(7*5)) and ((8*5)+(7*6)). i know it's an easy question but i want to be convinced :p
 
if i have four consecutive numbers for example 5 6 7 8 i want to know why always sum of multiply every two consecutive numbers will always be greater than any combination else. for example ((8*7)+(6*5)) will always be greater than ((8*6)+(7*5)) and ((8*5)+(7*6)). i know it's an easy question but i want to be convinced
In any pair of consecutive integers one of those is even and one odd.
An odd times an even is even.
The sum to two even integers is even.
 
if i have four consecutive numbers for example 5 6 7 8 i want to know why always sum of multiply every two consecutive numbers will always be greater than any combination else. for example ((8*7)+(6*5)) will always be greater than ((8*6)+(7*5)) and ((8*5)+(7*6)). i know it's an easy question but i want to be convinced :p

A product of two distinct integers is maximized when they are consecutive.

In your first example, case one, it happens two times in the same expression.
Your third example includes a product of a pair of consecutive integers, but
the sum is offset by a smaller product.

- - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If you know some algebra, you might see the following:

In increasing order, let the integers be n, n + 1, n + 2, n + 3

Case One)

n(n + 1) + (n + 2)(n + 3) =

n^2 + n + n^2 + 5n + 6 =

2n^2 + 6n + 6

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Case Two)

n(n + 2) + (n + 1)(n + 3) =

n^2 + 2n + n^2 + 4n + 3 =

2n^2 + 6n + 3

. . . . . . .. . . . . . . ... . . . . . .


Case Three)

n(n + 3) + (n + 1)(n + 2) =

n^2 +3n + n^2 + 3n + 2 =

2n^2 + 6n + 2

_____________________


As you can see, the sum of the products for the
first case is always greater.
 
Last edited:
A product of two distinct integers is maximized when they are consecutive.

In your first example, case one, it happens two times in the same expression.
Your third example includes a product of a pair of consecutive integers, but
the sum is offset by a smaller product.

- - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If you know some algebra, you might see the following:

In increasing order, let the integers be n, n + 1, n + 2, n + 3

Case One)

n(n + 1) + (n + 2)(n + 3) =

n^2 + n + n^2 + 5n + 6 =

2n^2 + 6n + 6

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Case Two)

n(n + 2) + (n + 1)(n + 3) =

n^2 + 2n + n^2 + 4n + 3 =

2n^2 + 6n + 3

. . . . . . .. . . . . . . ... . . . . . .


Case Three)

n(n + 3) + (n + 1)(n + 2) =

n^2 +3n + n^2 + 3n + 2 =

2n^2 + 6n + 2

_____________________


As you can see, the sum of the products for the
first case is always greater.

Thank You ! :)
 
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