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Integer multiples of 3 are arranged in increasing order, starting with 3, such that the difference between kthk^{th} number in this list and (k+1)th(k+1)^{th} is the LCM of 3 and kk. Calculate the sum of the first 5 numbers.

Solution

✅ Correct Option: 2

The list starts at a1=3a_1 = 3, and each next term is given by ak+1=ak+LCM(3,k)a_{k+1} = a_k + \text{LCM}(3, k).


a1=3a_1 = 3

a2=3+LCM(3,1)=3+3=6a_2 = 3 + \text{LCM}(3,1) = 3 + 3 = 6

a3=6+LCM(3,2)=6+6=12a_3 = 6 + \text{LCM}(3,2) = 6 + 6 = 12

a4=12+LCM(3,3)=12+3=15a_4 = 12 + \text{LCM}(3,3) = 12 + 3 = 15

a5=15+LCM(3,4)=15+12=27a_5 = 15 + \text{LCM}(3,4) = 15 + 12 = 27


Sum =3+6+12+15+27=63= 3 + 6 + 12 + 15 + 27 = 63

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