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Name: Azrun Nazurah Adnan

Siti Nurul Akmaliah bt Mahian
Tang Shu Jun
Class: 2MTED 1
Date: 24/07/2006
Date Submission: 04/07/2006
Exercise Topic: Staircase numbers

Staircase numbers

Problem:

Which numbers are staircase number and which are not?

Find a recipe for writing a number as a sum of consecutive numbers.

How we work?

~ We refer to the Study Guide at first. From there, we know that a staircase number is a
number which can be expressed as a sum of consecutive numbers. For example 10, 7 and 12
are staircase numbers because
10 = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4, 7 = 3 + 4, 12 = 3 + 4 + 5

We can imagine the ‘staircases”

Diagram 1
~ In the case of 3, the heights of the stairs are 1 and 2.

~ We started by asking ourselves what numbers can be made into two-step staircases? three-
step? Four-step staircases and so on.
~ From there, we listing the first ten possible numbers for 2 step-staircases, 3-step staircases
4-step staircase and so on until 10-step staircases by construct a table. We using calculator
to get those possible numbers.
~ Next, from what we get just now, we write down those numbers which are not staircase
numbers.
~ Then, we explore what is a good shortcut for adding consecutive numbers without using
the assistant of calculator.
~ We use another method that is drawing a diagram like the Diagram 1 above in order to
find a pattern or a general rule to get the sum of consecutive numbers
~ Lastly we predict the number of ways a number can be written as a sum of consecutive
numbers.
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What numbers can be made into two-step staircases? three-step? Four-step staircases
and so on? Which numbers are staircase number and which are not?

Our working:

~ Firstly, we try to add up some consecutive numbers randomly.

As for example:
Notice:
0 + 1 + 2 = 1 + 2 and
0 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5=1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5=15
~ Though we can see that these 2 pairs of
As for example:
consecutive numbers are made up of different
step, but we can get the same answer for left
1 + 2 + 3 = 6. hand side and right hand side.
2 + 3 + 4 + 5 = 14 ~ The problem occurs here if we include the
4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 10 = 49 number of “0” in the consecutive numbers.
0+1+2=3 ~ So, we make conclusion here that 0 cannot be
0 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 = 15 included in any consecutive numbers that we
1+2=3 will calculate later.
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 = 15 ~ As 1 = 0 +1, there is just one way to get the
sum of 1. Hence, we have to say that 1 is not a
staircase number.

~ We doing in this way because we want to find out the staircase numbers without
considering the step of the staircases as long as the numbers we add up are consecutive
numbers.
~ After that, we think of a more systematic way. We find out a few staircase numbers that
starting from 2-step until 10-step. We used calculator to get the answer.
As for example:
2 steps 1+2=3
3 steps 1+2+3=6
4 steps 1+2+3+4=10
5 steps 1+2+3+4+5=15
6 steps 1+2+3+4+5+6=21
7 steps 1+2+3+4+5+6+7=28
8 steps 1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8=36
9 steps 1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9=45
10 steps 1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10=55

~ Then, we give ourselves a limitation by calculating only a few first terms of 2-step
consecutive numbers.
~ We start from number 1: 1 + 2 = 3.
Then we start from number 2: 2 + 3 = 5
After that, we start with number 3: 3 + 4 = 7
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Next, start with number 4: 4 + 5 = 9 and so on.

~ For 3-step consecutive numbers, 4-step consecutive numbers and so on, I also use the same
method as the above.
As for example:
3 steps 2 + 3 + 4 = 9 and the next term start with 3 and so on.
4 steps 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 = 14 and the next term start with 14 and so on.
5 steps 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 = 20 and the next term start with 20 and so on.
~ We stopped at the 10-step staircase numbers and then construct a table for the results. It is
shown below:

Table 1.0:

2 steps The sum 3 steps the sum 4 steps the sum

1+2 3 1+2+3 6 1+2+3+4 10
2+3 5 2+3+4 9 2+3+4+5 14
3+4 7 3+4+5 12 3+4+5+6 18
4+5 9 4+5+6 15 4+5+6+7 22
5+6 11 5+6+7 18 5+6+7+8 26
6+7 13 6+7+8 21 6+7+8+9 30
7+8 15 7+8+9 24 7+8+9+10 34
8+9 17 8+9+10 27 8+9+10+11 38
9+10 19 9+10+11 30 9+10+11+12 42
10+11 21 10+11+12 33 10+11+12+13 46
11+12 23 11+12+13 36 11+12+13+14 50
12+13 25 12+13+14 39 12+13+14+15 54
13+14 27 13+14+15 42 13+14+15+16 58
14+15 29 14+15+16 45 14+15+16+17 62

Table 1.1:

5 steps the sum 6 steps the sum

1+2+3+4+5 15 1+2+3+4+5+6 21
2+3+4+5+6 20 2+3+4+5+6+7 27
3+4+5+6+7 25 3+4+5+6+7+8 33
4+5+6+7+8 30 4+5+6+7+8+9 39
5+6+7+8+9 35 5+6+7+8+ 9+10 45
6+7+8+9+10 40 6+7+8+9+ 10+11 51
7+8+9+10+11 45 7+8+9+10+11+12 57
8+9+10+11+12 50 8+9+10+11+12+13 63
9+10+11+12+13 55 9+10+11+12+13+14 69
10+11+12+13+14 60 10+11+12+13+14+15 75

Table 1.2:
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7 steps the sum 8 steps the sum

1+2+3+4+5+6+7 28 1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8 36
2+3+4+5+6+7+8 35 2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9 44
3+4+5+6+7+8+9 42 3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10 52
4+5+6+7+8+9+10 49 4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11 60
5+6+7+8+9+10+11 56 5+6+7+8+9+10+11+12 68
6+7+8+9+10+11+12 63 6+7+8+9+10+11+12+13 76
7+8+9+10+11+12+13 70 7+8+9+10+11+12+13+14 84
8+9+10+11+12+13+14 77 8+9+10+11+12+13+14+15 92
9+10+11+12+13+14+15 84 9+10+11+12+13+14+15+16 100
10+11+12+13+14+15+16 91 10+11+12+13+14+15+16+17 108

Table 1.3:

9 steps the 10 steps the

sum sum

1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9 45 1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10 55
2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10 54 2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11 65
3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11 63 3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11+12 75
4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11+12 72 4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11+12+13 85
5+6+7+8+9+10+11+12+13 81 5+6+7+8+9+10+11+12+13+14 95
6+7+8+9+10+11+12+13+14 90 6+7+8+9+10+11+12+13+14+15 105
7+8+9+10+11+12+13+14+15 99 7+8+9+10+11+12+13+14+15+16 115
8+9+10+11+12+13+14+15+16 108 8+9+10+11+12+13+14+15+16+17 125
9+10+11+12+13+14+15+16+17 117 9+10+11+12+13+14+15+16+17+18 135
10+11+12+13+14+15+16+17+18 126 10+11+12+13+14+15+16+17+18+19 145

~ In Table 1.0, it is clear that we calculate and get the first 14 terms. But in Table 1.1, Table
1.2, and Table 1.3, we were not calculated until we get the first 14 term. It is because the total
number in the consecutive numbers that we need to add up are getting more and more. This
means we have to waste time calculate the answer though with the help of the calculator.

~ However, we can easily get the nth term of m-step consecutive numbers by referring or
studying the table above as long as 1≤n≤10 and 2≤m≤10. But, for 11-step staircases numbers
and onwards, it is not suitable to construct a table like the above.

~ So, what we will do for the later part is trying to find a general rule of the sum of the n
consecutives numbers instead of getting the answer by using calculator and presented in a
table.

~ Now, we move all the data in the Table 1.0, Table 1.1, Table 1.2, and Table 1.3 to a simple
separate diagram named “100 chart”. What we done is actually following the idea of The
‘Sieve of Eratosthenes’, where we used to find the prime numbers from 1 to 100 by circle the
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number 2, then cross out every multiple of 2, circle the number 3, then cross out every
multiple of 3 and stop when all numbers on the chart have been either circled or crossed out.
(Taken from: The Study Guide of Exploring Number and Space, Semester 1)

~ But here, we coloured those sum of 2-step consecutive numbers from number 1 to 100 in
Figure 1, those sum of 3-step consecutive numbers from number 1 to 100 in Figure 2 and
until we finished for the 10-step consecutive numbers. From the figures, we will see a pattern
of what numbers are not staircase numbers. Notice that those non-coloured tiles means the
number inside is not made up of that certain step consecutive numbers.

Figure 1:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 ~ The numbers in the tan box are those

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
staircase numbers with 2 steps. As we
look through the “100 chart” above, the
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
staircase numbers for 2 steps are all
51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
odd numbers.
61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 ~ Those numbers can be found in the
71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 same column of odd numbers except
81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 number 1 because 1 is not staircase
91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100
number.

Figure 2:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
~ The numbers in the pink box are the
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
3-step staircases numbers. They are
51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 combination of odd and even numbers.
61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 ~ As we can see, they are multiple of
71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 3 except 3.
81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90
91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100

Figure 3:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 ~ The numbers in the light purple
box are the 4-step staircase numbers.
All these number are even numbers.
~ We can see the coloured boxes are
spacing a box in every even column
except number 2, 4, 6 and 8.
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70
71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80
81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90
91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100

Figure 4:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 ~ The numbers in the light blue
31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 boxes are the 5-step staircases
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 Figurenumbers.
5: They are multiple of 5.
51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 ~ We can see the coloured boxes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 are in a straight line except for 5
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 and 10.
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 ~ The numbers in the light green
31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 box are the 6-step staircases
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
numbers. All of them are all odd
51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 numbers. The numbers are always
61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 add up with 6.
71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80
81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90
91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100

Figure 6:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 The numbers in the sea blue boxes
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 are the 7-step staircases numbers.
51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 They are multiple of 7 numbers
61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 except 7, 14, and 21.
71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80
81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90
91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100
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Figure 7:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 ~ The numbers in the purple boxes

42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
are the 8-step staircases numbers.
41
52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
~ They are always adding up with 8.
51
62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70
All the staircase numbers are even.
61
71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80

81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 Figure 8:
91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
~ The numbers in the light orange
31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
boxes are the 9-step staircases
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
numbers. They are multiple of 9.
51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
~ The pattern is like a stair which is
61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70
like the figure for 3-step staircases
71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80
numbers.
81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90
91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100

Figure 9:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 ~ The
22 23 numbers
24 25in green
26 27box28are 29
the 30
31 10-step
32 33staircases
34 35 numbers.
36 37 38 39 40
41 ~ The
42 43 numbers
44 45 are
46 always
47 48adding
49 50
What we have found?
51 up 53
52 with 54 10.55 All56 the
57 staircase
58 59 60
61 numbers of 10 steps are odd
62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70
~ As we looked at all the diagram above, 2-
71 number.
72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80
step is the smallest step and there are many
81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90
91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100
2-step staircases numbers between 1 and
100. For the biggest steps, that is 10-step,
there are only 5 staircase numbers with 10-step between 1 and 100. It shows when the
number of steps in a consecutive numbers become bigger, there will be less related numbers.

~ We find a relationship between the staircase numbers and the steps. The odd-step staircases
numbers are multiple of that odd number. As for example, the 5-step staircases numbers are
15, 20, 25, 30……. which are the multiple of 5.
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~ From all the figures above, we make a table to check out which numbers are not staircase
numbers and from there, we can see a number can be written in how many ways or how
many step of consecutive numbers. It is shown below:

Table 2

No. 2steps 3steps 4steps 5steps 6steps 7steps 8steps 9steps 10steps

1
Not staircase number
2

3 /

4 Not staircase number

5 /

6 /

7 /

8 Not staircase number

9 / /

10 /

11 /

12 /

13 /

14 /

15 / / /

16 Not staircase number

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17 /

18 / /

19 /

20 /

21 / / /

22 /

23 /

24 /

25 / /

26 / /

27 / / /

28 /

29 /

30 / / /

31 /

32 Not staircase number

33 / / /

34 /

35 / / /
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36 / /

37 /

38 /

39 / / /

40 /

41 /

42 / /

43 /

44 /

45 / / / / /

46 /

47 /

48 /

49 / /

50 / /

~ Based on Table 2, we can see which number has one step or more than one step of
consecutive numbers.

Preliminary conjecture:

1. All the odd number can be written as a sum of 2-step consecutive numbers and so each of
them has at least 1 way to be written as a sum of consecutive numbers.

2. All the prime numbers can only be written in 2-step staircase numbers, except the number
2 as it is not a staircase number.
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For example:
3 = 1+2
5=2+3
11 = 5+6
17 = 8 + 9
19 = 9 + 10
23 = 11+12
29 = 14 + 15
31 = 15 + 16

3. For those odd numbers which are also prime numbers, they can only have one way to be
written as a sum of consecutive numbers that is 2-step. But, for those odd numbers which
are not prime numbers, they have more than one way to be written as a sum of
consecutive numbers.

For example:

9 = 4+5 (2 steps)
= 2+3+ 4 (3 steps)

15= 7+8 (2 steps)

=4+5+6 (3 steps)

21=10+11 (2 steps)
=6+7+8 (3 steps)
=1+2+3+4+5+6 (6 steps)

4. The 2n numbers are not staircase numbers. (where n ≥0)

~ From number 1 to 50, there are 6 numbers which are not staircase numbers.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

~ They are 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32. We know that:

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1 = 20

2 = 21

4 = 21

8 = 23

16 = 24

32 = 25

5. The 1st sum for every n-step staircases numbers is a triangular numbers, which start from
3, 6, 10, 15, 21, 28, 36, 45, 55…….and so on.

~ If we look through the 2nd row in Table 1.0 , Table 1.1 until Table 1.3, it is obvious that the
first staircase number for every step is different.

Table 3:

Steps First staircase number

2 *3
+3
3 *6
+4
4 *10
+5
5 *15
+6
6 *21
+7
7 *28
+8
8 *36
9 *45 +9
+ 10
10 *55

*Also known as triangular numbers.

~ We also can illustrate the triangular numbers by drawing a diagram as shown below:

Diagram 1:
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Diagram of a staircase with numbers

Diagram 2:

1
2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45
46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55
56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66
67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78
79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91
92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105

~ Let the number of rows be represent by n and so n is the number of steps of a staircase
number.

For example,
~ 3 is the last number in the 2nd row, this means it is a 2 steps staircase number.
~ 6 is the last number in the 3rd row, it is a 3 steps staircase number.
~ 10 is the last number in the 4th row, it is a 4 steps staircase number.

~ The numbers which are in green colour show the number of the 1st term in n step staircase
numbers.

For example,
3 is the number of the 1st term in 2 steps staircase numbers.
6 is the number of the 1st term in 3 steps staircase numbers.
10 is the number of the 1st term in 4 steps staircase number
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Find a way to add consecutive numbers without using the assistant of calculator.
Method 2:

2 step staircase 3 steps staircase

2 3 ½
1 ½ 1/2
1/2 1 ½ 1
½ 1 1/2
1/2 n=2 ½ 2 3
n=1 1/2

Diagram 1
4 steps staircase 5 steps staircase Diagram 2

4 5 6 ½ 7 8 9 10 ½
1/2 1/2
2 3 ½ 1 4 5 6 ½ 1
1/2 1/2
1 ½ 2 3 2 3 ½ 2 3
1/2 1/2
½ 4 5 6 1 ½ 4 5 6
1/2 1/2
½ 7 8 9 10
1/2
Diagram 3

6 steps staircase Diagram 4

11 12 13 14 15 ½
1/2
7 8 9 10 ½ 1
1/2
4 5 6 ½ 2 3
1/2
2 3 ½ 4 5 6
1/2
1 ½ 7 8 9 10
1/2
½ 11 12 13 14 15
1/2

Diagram 5
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What we have found out?

(Refer to Diagram 1)
~ We obtain the first 2 steps staircase number by drawing a 2 by 2 square at first, then we
shaded one cell in the first column and 2 cells in the second column.

Notice:
~ The heights of the stairs are 1 and 2.
~ Inside the 2 by 2 square, there are 2 cells in each row and each column.
~ “2” here represents the height and the length of the square.
~ We can interpret the number “2” as a 2-step staircase.

~ By using calculator,
The first sum of 2 consecutive numbers is 1 + 2 = 3

~ From Diagram 1, we get the total number of cells which has been shaded = 3
and the total number of cells which has not been shaded = 1
~ We try to generate a rule to get the sum of the first 2-step consecutive numbers.

How we find out the rule?

~ The total number of cells in the 2 by 2 squares = 2 x 2 = 22 = 4 22

~ When we separate the square into 2 parts by drawing a line across the 2
2 opposite vertices of the square,
On the right hand part, there are :1 + ½ + ½ = 2 shaded cells
On the left hand part, there are :1 no shaded cell and ½ + ½ = 1 shaded cells

~ If we divided the total number of cells by 2, 4 =2

this give us exactly half the square. 2

But, we had to add 2 half pieces of cells back to the right hand part to 4 1 4 2
+ 2( ) = + = 3
account for the stair steps, which was 2 x ½ = 1. 2 2 2 2

~ So, we get a pattern in order to find the sum of the first 2-step consecutive numbers:
(the condition is the 1st number in the sequence is 1)

2( 2 +1)
22 + 2 /
2
2 2

Preliminary conjecture:

The sum of the first n-step consecutive numbers: n(n + 1)

n2 + n
(the condition is the 1st number in the sequence is 1)
2 2 2
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Prove our preliminary conjecture is true:

~ Now we refer to Diagram 2.

~ We obtain 3 steps staircase number by drawing a 3 by 3 square at first, then we shaded one
cell in the first column, 2 cells in the second column and 3 cells in the third column.

~ By applying the rule we found out now, n2 + n n(n + 1)

2 2 2

3(3 + 1) 3( 4) 12
We get = = =6

/
2 2 2

~ By using calculator, the first sum of 3 consecutive numbers is

1+2+3=6
~ The answer is the same.

~ Next, we refer to Diagram 3.

~ We obtain 4 steps staircase number by drawing a 4 by 4 square at first, then we shaded one
cell in the first column, 2 cells in the second column, 3 cells in the third column and 4 cells in
the 4th column.
4(4 + 1) 4(5) 20
~ By applying the rule we found out now, We get = = = 10
2 2 2

~ By using calculator, the first sum of 3 consecutive numbers is

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 = 10
~ It shows that our preliminary conjecture is true.

Conjecture 1:

The sum of the first n-step consecutive numbers:

(the condition is the 1st number in the sequence is 1)

2 n(n + 1)
Sn = n + n
2 2 2

/
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BUT
n(n +1)
~ As the rule only allow us to find the sum of the first n-step consecutive numbers
2
that means the 1st number in the sequence is 1.

So, the question raised here.

“ What if we need to find the sum of n-step consecutive numbers when the first number in the
sequence is not start from 1.”

~ As it is not reasonable for us to use calculator to add up all the consecutive numbers if it is
a long sequence or if there were many numbers in the sequence.
~ We generate a simple question and from there try to find out the general rule to get the sum
of n-step consecutive numbers.

Question:

1. What if we need to find the sum of 11-step consecutive numbers and the number starts
from 2?

How we work out?

~ We list out the sequence at first

2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 10 + 11 + 12

~ We circle the middle term that is 7.

2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8+ 9 + 10 + 11 + 12

~ In this sequence, a = 2, n = 11, d = 1. (a = the 1st term in the sequence, n = how many
number in the sequence, d = the common difference between 2 consecutive numbers)

~ Then, we add up the 1st and the last number, the 2nd and the 10th number, the 3rd and the
9th number, the 4th and the 8th number, the 5th and the 7th number.

2+12=14 4+10=14 6+8=14

3+11=14 5+9=14

~ There are 5 pairs of the number 14 and we add up with 7.

5(14) + 7 = 77

If the sequence is 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 10 + 11
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11(11 +1) 11(12 ) 132

~ We can use the first rule we get , = = = 66
2 2 2

If the sequence is 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 10 + 11 + 12

11(11 +1) 11(12 )

~ We get +12 = +12
2 2

What we have found?

~ Then, we back to the original question, 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 10 + 11 + 12

11(11 +1)
We have to minus 1 from the +12 and we get
2
11 (11 +1)
[ +12 ] −1
2
11(10 +1 +1)
=[ +11
2
11[(11 −1) + 2]
= +11
2
11 (11 −1) +11 ( 2)
= +11
2
11 (11 −1) 11 ( 2)
= + +11
2 2
11 (11 −1)
= + 2(11 )
2
11 −1
=11 ( + 2)
2
11
= [ 2( 2) + (11 −1)1]
2
n-1 (as a = 2, n = 11, d = 1)
n d
2 2a

Conjecture 2:

~ We get a rule in order to find the sum of n-step consecutive numbers, Sn, when the first
number in the sequence is not start from 1. That is
n
Sn = [ 2a + (n −1) d ]
2
Further thinking
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Question:
2. What if we need to find the number of the 32th term of 50-step consecutive numbers?
How we work out?

~ We understand the problem at first. This time we can also use the rule to find the sum of n-
step consecutive numbers, Sn, when the first number in the sequence is not start from 1.
n
Sn = [ 2a + (n −1) d ]
2
~ As when we were asked to find the 32th term of 50-step consecutive numbers, we are
actually need to find 32 + 33 + 34 + 35 + 36 + 37 + …….. + 77 + 78 + 79 + 80 + 81 = ?

~ While the 1st term is 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + ……. + 47 + 48 + 49 + 50 and we can get the

answer by using the 1st rule:
n(n + 1) 50 (51)
= = 1275
2 2

The 2nd term is 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + ………. + 48 + 49 + 50 + 51 and we can get the answer by

using the 2nd rule:
n 50
Sn = [ 2a + ( n −1) d ] = [ 2(32 ) + (50 −1)1]
2 2
= 25 (64 + 49 )
= 2825

~ So, from here, we noticed that when we were asked to find the number of the 32th term of
50-step consecutive numbers, we actually find the sum of the sequence where a = 32, n = 50
and d = 1.

~ Here, we explore further to see whether there are other rule to find the number of the 32th
term. We started by exploring the 2-step staircases numbers,

The 1st term 3 3 = 2 + 1 = 2(1) + 1

The 2nd term 5 5 = 2 + 2 + 1 = 2 (2) + 1
The 3rd term 7 7 = 2 + 2 + 2 +1 = 2(3) +1
The 4th term 9 9 = 2+ 2 + 2 + 2 +1 = 2(4) + 1
The 5th term 11 11 = 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 +1 = 2(5) +1

2n + 1

~ Let the number of 1st term, 2nd term….until the 5th term be written as a series of numbers.
 3 + (n-1)2
or
3 + 2n – 2 = 2n
21 + 1

3, 5, 7, 9, 11…..
~ Let the common difference be represented by d, d = 2.
The 1st term, a = 3
The nth term = ?
The 2nd term, 5 = 3 + 2 = a + 2
The 3rd term, 7 = 3 + 2 + 2
= 3 + (2)2
= 3 + (3-1)2
= a + (n–1)d
The 4th term, 9 = 3 + 2 + 2 + 2
= 3 + (3)2
= 3 + (4-1)2
= a + (n–1)d

The 5th term, 11 = 3 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

= 3 + (4)2
= 3 + (5-1)2
= a + (n–1)d
~ Hence, in order to get the number of the nth term in 2-step staircases numbers, the rule
is:
3 + (n–1)2
= 3 + 2n – 2
= 2n +1

For the 3-step staircases numbers,

The 1st term 6 6 = 3 + 3 = 3(1) + 3

The 2nd term 9 9 = 3 + 3 + 3 = 3 (2) + 3
The 3rd term 12 12 = 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 3(3) + 3
The 4th term 15 15 = 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 3(4) + 3
The 5th term 18 18 = 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 3(5) + 3

3n + 3
The 2nd term, 9 = 6 + 3 = a + 3
The 3rd term, 12 = 6 + 3 + 3
= 6 + (2)3
= 6 + (3-1)3
= a + (n–1)d
The 4th term, 15 = 6 + 3 + 3 + 3
= 6 + (3)3
= 6 + (4-1)2
= a + (n–1)d

The 5th term, 18 = 6 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3

= 6 + (4)3
= 6+ (5-1)3
= a + (n–1)d
 (n-1)44n + 6
610+ +(n-1)3
oror
610+ +3n4n– -3 4==3n
4n++3 6
22

~ Hence, in order to get the number of the nth term in 3-step staircases numbers, the rule is:

For the 4-step staircases numbers,

The 1st term 10 10 = 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 4(1) + 6

The 2nd term 14 14 = 4 + 4 + + 2 + 2 + 2 = 4 (2) + 6
The 3rd term 18 18 = 4 + 4 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 4(3) + 6
The 4th term 22 22 = 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 4(4) + 6
The 5th term 26 26 = 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 4(5) + 6

The 2nd term, 14 = 10 + 4 = a + 4

The 3rd term, 18 = 10 + 4 + 4
= 10 + (2)4
= 10 + (3-1)4
= a + (n–1)d
The 4th term, 22 = 10 + 4 + 4 + 4
= 10 + (3)4
= 10 + (4-1)4
= a + (n–1)d

The 5th term, 26 = 10 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4

= 10 + (4)4
= 10 + (5-1)4
= a + (n–1)d

~ Hence, in order to get the number of the nth term in 4-step staircases numbers, the rule is:

Notice:
~ The rule to find the nth term in 2-step staircase numbers, is 3 + (n-1)2
The rule to find the nth term in 3-step staircase numbers, is 6 + (n-1)3
The rule to find the nth term in 4-step staircase numbers, is 10 + (n-1)4
(The numbers which are in blue colours are the first term of each y-step staircase numbers
while the numbers which are in green colours are the common difference, d, between 2
terms)
 23

~ We can get the first number of the first term in y-step staircase numbers by using the 1st
y ( y +1)
rule that is , so the rule to get the number of the nth term in y-step staircase
2
y ( y +1)
numbers is: + ( n −1) d
2

~ The rule to obtain the number of the nth term in 2-step to 10-step staircase numbers can be
summarize in a table as below:

y-step staircase numbers The rules

2-step staircase numbers 3 + (n-1)2 = 2n + 1

3-step staircase numbers 6 + (n-1)3 = 3n + 3

4-step staircase numbers 10 + (n-1)4 = 4n + 6

5-step staircase numbers 15 + (n-1)5 = 5n + 10

6-step staircase numbers 21 + (n-1)6 = 6n + 15

7-step staircase numbers 28 + (n-1)7 = 7n + 21

8-step staircase numbers 36 + (n-1)8 = 8n + 28

9-step staircase numbers 45 + (n-1)9 = 9n + 36

10-step staircase numbers 55 + (n-1)10 = 10n + 45

~ So, now we can apply this rule to the original question of “What if we need to find the
number of the 32th term of 50-step consecutive numbers?” The working is like below:
50 (50 +1)
+ (32 −1)50
2
50 (51 )
= +31 (50 )
2
=1275 +1550
= 2825

~ We get the same answer, that is 2825. It is proven that there are two ways to find the
number of the nth term of y-step consecutive numbers , that are
y ( y +1) y
+ ( n −1) d or [2a + (n −1)d ]
2 2
 24

Find the number of ways a number can be written as a sum of consecutive numbers.

 A staircase number, is a number which can be expressed as a sum of consecutive

numbers.
 Find a recipe for writing a number as a sum of consecutive numbers.
o Any odd numbers can be a staircase number.
o All number divisible by 3 is a staircase number.
o 0 is not accepted as staircase numbers.
o Prime numbers have only 2-step staircases.(except the number 2)

 From Table 1. 0, Table 1.1, Table 1.2, Table 1.3 shown before, we found that :-

o For 2-step staircase numbers:

 The 1st number is 3, where 3 = 2(1) + 1 , the 2nd number is 5, where 5 = 2(2)
+ 1, and the 3rd number is 7, where 7 = 2(3) + 1
 So, we get (2n + 1) and n here represents the 1st term in the 2-step staircases
number.
 Then, when a 2-step consecutive numbers are divided by 2 it will have a
remainder of 1.
 We know that all odd number are 2-step staircase numbers.
 If we use calculator, all the 2-step staircase numbers when divided by 2, must
equal to __.5, this means the remainder is ½, which is equal to 0.5.
2
2 5

For example :-
4

 1

• 5 ÷ 2 = 2 (quotient) and has remainder 1.

remainder
The number of the staircase step

• So we get 5 = 2 + 3 (where 2 is the quotient we get just now

and it represents the 1st term in the 2-step consecutive number)
• 5 ÷ 2(step) = 2.5 (there is … + 0.5 in the answer)
 25

o For 3-step staircase numbers:

 The 1st number is 6, where 6 = 3 x 2 , the 2nd number is 9, where 9 = 3 x 3,
and the 3rd number is 12, where 12 = 3 x 4.
 This means all the 3-step staircase number are multiple of 3 or we can
represent it with 3n and n here represents the 2nd term or the middle term in
the 3-step consecutive numbers.
 For this case, if we are using calculator, the answer must have no remainder at
all as the number must be divisible by 3. 3
3
9
3
0

 For example :-
• 9 ÷ 3 = 3 (answer) and it has no remainder.

The number of the staircase step

• So we get 6 = 1 + 2 + 3 (where 2 = the middle term )

• 6 ÷ 3(step) = 2, (no remainder / divisible by 3)

o For 4-step staircase numbers:

 The 1st number is 10, where 10 = 4(2) + 2 , the 2nd number is 14, where 14 =
4(3) + 2, and the 3rd number is 18, where 18 = 4(4) + 2
 When a 4-step consecutive numbers are divided by 4 it will have a remainder
of 2
 So, we get (4n + 2) and n here represents the 2nd term in the 4-step staircase
number.
 If we use calculator, the staircase number that have been divided by 4 must
have … + 0.5 in the answer, as the remainder is 2/4, which is equal to 0.5.
 For example :-
• 10 ÷ 4(step) = 2 (quotient) and has remainder 2.
• 10 = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4, (where 2 is the 2nd term)
• 10 ÷ 4(step) = 2.5 (there is … + 0.5 in the answer)
 26

o For 5-step staircase numbers:

 The 1st number is 15, where 15 = 5 x 3 , the 2nd number is 20, where 20 = 5 x
4, and the 3rd number is 25, where 25 = 5 x 5.
 This means all the 5-step staircase number are multiple of 5 or we can
represent it with 5n and n here represents the 3rd term or the middle term in
the 5-step consecutive numbers.
 For this case, if we are using calculator, the answer must have no remainder at
all as the number must be divisible by 5.
 For example :-
• 15 ÷ 5(step) = 3 (answer) and has no remainder.
• 15 = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 (where 3 is the middle term)
• 15 ÷ 5(step) = 3, (no remainder / divisible by 5)

o For 6-step staircase numbers:

 The 1st number is 21, where 21 = 6(3) + 3 , the 2nd number is 27, where 27 =
6(4) + 3, and the 3rd number is 33, where 33 = 6(5) + 3.
 We can say when a 6-step consecutive numbers are divided by 6 it will have a
remainder of 3.
 So, we get (6n + 3) and n here represents the 3rd term in the 6-step staircase
number.
 If we use calculator, the staircase number that which divided by 6 must have
… + 0.5 in the answer, as the remainder is 3/6, which is equal to 0.5.
 For example :-
• 21 ÷ 6(step) = 3 (quotient) and has remainder 3.
• 21 = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6, (where 3 is the 3rd term)
• 21 ÷ 6(step) = 3.5 (there is … + 0.5 in the answer)
 27

o For 7-step staircase numbers:

 The 1st number is 28, where 28 = 7 x 4 , the 2nd number is 35, where 35 = 7 x
5, and the 3rd number is 42, where 42 = 7 x 6.
 This means all the 7-step staircase number are multiple of 7 or we can
represent it with 7n and n here represents the 4th term or the middle term in
the 7-step consecutive numbers.
 For this case, if we are using calculator, the answer must have no remainder at
all as the number must be divisible by 7.
 For example :-
• 28 ÷ 7(step) = 4 (answer) and has no remainder.
• 28 = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7, where n = 4th term = middle
term = 4)
• 28 ÷ 7(step) = 4 (no remainder / divisible by 7)

o For 8-step staircase numbers:

 The 1st number is 36, where 36 = 8(4) + 4 , the 2nd number is 44, where 44 =
8(5) + 4, and the 3rd number is 52, where 52 = 8(6) + 4
 We can say when a 8-step consecutive numbers are divided by 8 it will have a
remainder of 4.
 So, we get (8n + 4) and n here represents the 4th term in the 8-step staircase
number.
 If we use calculator, the staircase number that have been divided by 8 must
have … + 0.5 in the answer, as the remainder is 4/8, which is equal to 0.5.
 For example :-
• 36 ÷ 8(step) = 4 (quotient) and has remainder 4.
• 36 = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8, (where 4 is the 4th term)
 28

• 36 ÷ 8(step) = 4.5 (there is … + 0.5 in the answer)

o For 9-step staircase numbers:

 The 1st number is 45, where 45 = 9 x 5, the 2nd number is 54, where 54 = 9 x
6, and the 3rd number is 63, where 63 = 9 x 7.
 This means all the 9-step staircase number are multiple of 9 or we can
represent it with 9n and n here represents the 5th term or the middle term in
the 9-step consecutive numbers.
 For this case, if we are using calculator, the answer must have no remainder at
all as the number must be divisible by 9.
 For example :-
• 45 ÷ 9(step) = 5 (answer) and has no remainder.
• 45 = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9, where
o (n = 5th term = middle term = 5)
• 45 ÷ 9(step) = 5, (no remainder / divisible by 9)

o For 10-step staircase numbers:

 The 1st number is 55, where 55 = 10(5) + 5 , the 2nd number is 65, where 65 =
10(6) + 5, and followed by the 3rd number is 75, where 75 = 10(7) + 5.
 We can say when a 10-step consecutive numbers are divided by 10 it will
have a remainder of 5.
 So, we get (10n + 5) and n here represents the 5th term in the 10-step staircase
number.
 If we use calculator, the staircase number that have been divide with 10-step
must have … + 0.5 in the answer, as the remainder is 5/10, which is equal to
0.5.
 For example :-
 29

• 55 ÷ 10(step) = 5 (quotient) and has remainder 5.

• 55 = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 10, (where 5 is the 5th
term)
• 55 ÷ 10(step) = 5.5 (there is … + 0.5 in the answer)

Some examples of staircase numbers problem :-

Find the number of ways(step) for the number given below that can be written as a sum of
consecutive numbers.

1. 2911
a. Firstly, we divide this number with each number of step, and then determine
whether the number is suitable with the step or not.
i. 2911 ÷ 2 (step) = 1455.5 ………. (yes)
ii. 2911 ÷ 3 (step) = 970.333
iii. 2911 ÷ 4 (step) = 727.75
iv. 2911 ÷ 5 (step) = 582.2
v. 2911 ÷ 6 (step) = 485.167
vi. 2911 ÷ 7 (step) = 415.857
vii. 2911 ÷ 8 (step) = 363.875
viii. 2911 ÷ 9 (step) = 323.444
ix. 2911 ÷ 10 (step) = 291.1
x. 2911 ÷ 11 (step) = 264.636
b. As a result, we found that, this number satisfy the condition for 2 steps of a
staircase.
c. Then, we prove it by insert the number into the formula given before :-
i. As what we know, for 2-step consecutive number = 2n + 1
ii. In a simple word, 2n + 1 = 2911
2n = 2911 - 1
n = 2910
2
= 1455
 30

iii. Then, we can check back the answer by inserting the answer into
first adding number in 2 steps staircase.
iv. In a simple word, 2911 = 1455 + 1456

2. 498
a. Firstly, we divide this number with each number of step, and then determine
whether the number is suitable with the step or not.
i. 498 ÷ 2 (step) = 249
ii. 498 ÷ 3 (step) = 166 …………… (yes)
iii. 498 ÷ 4 (step) = 124.5 …………. (yes)
iv. 498 ÷ 5 (step) = 99.6
v. 498 ÷ 6 (step) = 83
vi. 498 ÷ 7 (step) = 71.143
vii. 498 ÷ 8 (step) = 62.25
viii. 498 ÷ 9 (step) = 55.333
ix. 498 ÷ 10 (step) = 49.8
x. 498 ÷ 11 (step) = 45.273
b. As a result, we found that, this number satisfy the condition for 3 steps and 4
steps of a staircase.
c. Then, we prove it by insert the number into the formula given before :-
i. For 3-step consecutive number = 3n
3n = 498
n = 498
3
= 166
ii. Then, we can check back by inserting the answer into the second
adding number in the 3 steps staircase,
iii. In simple words, 498 = 165 + 166 + 167
iv. For 4-step consecutive number = 4n + 2
 31

v. It shows that, 4n +2 = 498

4n = 498 – 2
n = 496
4
= 124
vi. Then, we can check back by inserting the answer into second adding
number into 4 steps staircase,
vii. In simple words, 498 = 123 + 124 + 125 + 126

3. 280706
a. Firstly, we divide this number with each number of step, and then determine
whether the number is suitable with the step or not.
i. 280706 ÷ 2 (step) = 140353
ii. 280706 ÷ 3 (step) = 93568.667
iii. 280706 ÷ 4 (step) = 70176.5 …… (yes)
iv. 280706 ÷ 5 (step) = 56141.2
v. 280706 ÷ 6 (step) = 46784.333
vi. 280706 ÷ 7 (step) = 40100.857
vii. 280706 ÷ 8 (step) = 35088.25
viii. 280706 ÷ 9 (step) = 31189.556
ix. 280706 ÷ 10 (step) = 28070.6
x. 280706 ÷ 11 (step) = 25518.727
b. As a result, we found that, this number satisfy the condition for 4 steps of a
staircase.
c. Then, we prove it by insert the number into the formula given before :-
i. For 4-step consecutive number = 4n + 2
ii. It shows that, 4n +2 = 280706
4n = 280706 – 2
n = 280706
4
 32

= 70176
iii. Then, we can check back by inserting the answer into second adding
number into 4 steps staircase,
iv. In simple words, 280706 = 70175 + 70176 + 70177 + 70178

4. 1683
a. Firstly, we divide this number with each number of step, and then determine
whether the number is suitable with the step or not.
i. 1683 ÷ 2 (step) = 841.5 ………… (yes)
ii. 1683 ÷ 3 (step) = 561 ……………(yes)
iii. 1683 ÷ 4 (step) = 420.75
iv. 1683 ÷ 5 (step) = 336.6
v. 1683 ÷ 6 (step) = 280.5 ………… (yes)
vi. 1683 ÷ 7 (step) = 240.429
vii. 1683 ÷ 8 (step) = 210.375
viii. 1683 ÷ 9 (step) = 187 ……………(yes)
ix. 1683 ÷ 10 (step) = 168.3
x. 1683 ÷ 11 (step) = 153 ……………(yes)
b. As a result, we found that, this number satisfy the condition for 2 steps, 3
steps, 6 steps, 9, and 11 steps of a staircase.
c. Then, we prove it by insert the number into the formula given before :-
i. As what we know, for 2-step consecutive number = 2n + 1
ii. In a simple word, 2n + 1 = 1683
2n = 1683 - 1
n = 1683
2
= 841
iii. Then, we can check back the answer by inserting the answer into
first adding number in 2 steps staircase.
iv. In a simple word, 1683 = 841 + 842
v. For 3-step consecutive number = 3n
 33

3n = 1683
n = 1683
3
= 561
vi. Then, we can check back by inserting the answer into the second
adding number in the 3 steps staircase,
vii. In simple words, 1683 = 560 + 561 + 562
viii. For 6-step consecutive number = 6n +3
6n + 3 = 1683
6n = 1683 – 3
n = 1680
6
= 280
ix. Then, the answer will be the third adding number in the 6 steps
staircase, 1683 = 278 + 279 + 280 + 281 + 282 + 283
x. Other than that, for 9-step consecutive number = 9n
9n = 1683
n = 1683
9
= 187

xi. Then, the answer will be the fifth adding number in the 9 steps
staircase,
1683 = 183 +184 + 185 + 186 + 187 + 188 + 189 + 190 +191
i. For 11-step consecutive number = 11n
11n = 1683
n = 1683
11
= 153
ii. Then, the answer will be the sixth adding number in the 11 steps
staircase,
 34

1683 = 148 + 149 + 150 + 151 + 152 + 153 + 154 + 155 + 156 + 157 + 158

5. 175
a. Firstly, we divide this number with each number of step, and then determine
whether the number is suitable with the step or not.
i. 175 ÷ 2 (step) = 87.5 …………… (yes)
ii. 175 ÷ 3 (step) = 58.333
iii. 175 ÷ 4 (step) = 43.75
iv. 175 ÷ 5 (step) = 35 ………………(yes)
v. 175 ÷ 6 (step) = 29.167
vi. 175 ÷ 7 (step) = 25 ………………(yes)
vii. 175 ÷ 8 (step) = 21.875
viii. 175 ÷ 9 (step) = 19.444
ix. 175 ÷ 10 (step) = 17.5 ……………(yes)
x. 175 ÷ 11 (step) = 15.909
b. As a result, we found that, this number satisfy the condition for 2 steps, 5
steps, 7 steps, and 10 steps of a staircase.
c. Then, we prove it by insert the number into the formula given before :-
i. As what we know, for 2-step consecutive number = 2n + 1
ii. In a simple word, 2n + 1 = 175
2n = 175 - 1
n = 175
2
= 87
iii. Then, we can check back the answer by inserting the answer into
first adding number in 2 steps staircase.
iv. In a simple word, 175 = 87 + 88
v. For 5-step consecutive number = 5n
5n = 175
 35

n = 175
5
= 25
vi. Then, insert the answer into third adding number in 5 steps staircase,
175 = 23 + 24 + 25 + 26 + 27
vii. For 10-step consecutive number = 10n + 5
10n + 5 = 175
10n = 175 – 5
n = 170
10
= 17
viii. Then, we insert the answer into the fifth adding number in 10 steps
staircase.
175 = 13 + 14 + 15 + 16 + 17 + 18 + 19 + 20 + 21 + 22
 36

Conclusion

1. All the odd number can be written as a sum of 2-step consecutive numbers and so each
of them has at least 1 way to be written as a sum of consecutive numbers.

2. All the prime numbers can only be written in 2-step staircase numbers, except the
number 2 as it is not a staircase number.

3. For those odd numbers which are also prime numbers, they can only have one way to
be written as a sum of consecutive numbers that is 2-step. But, for those odd numbers
which are not prime numbers, they have more than one way to be written as a sum of
consecutive numbers.

4. The 2n numbers are not staircase numbers. (where n ≥0)

5. The 1st sum for every n-step staircases numbers is a triangular numbers, which start
from 3, 6, 10, 15, 21, 28, 36, 45, 55…….and so on.

6. The sum of the first n-step consecutive numbers: Sn = n

2
+ n n(n + 1)
(the condition is the 1st number in the sequence is 1) 2 2 2

7. The sum of n-step consecutive numbers, Sn, when the first number in the sequence is
not start from 1. n
Sn = [ 2a + (n −1) d ]

/
That is
2
8. The rule to obtain the number of the nth term in 2-step to 10-step staircase numbers
can
be summarize in a table as below:
y-step staircase numbers The rules
2-step staircase numbers 3 + (n-1)2 = 2n + 1

3-step staircase numbers 6 + (n-1)3 = 3n + 3

4-step staircase numbers 10 + (n-1)4 = 4n + 6

5-step staircase numbers 15 + (n-1)5 = 5n + 10

6-step staircase numbers 21 + (n-1)6 = 6n + 15

 37

7-step staircase numbers 28 + (n-1)7 = 7n + 21

8-step staircase numbers 36 + (n-1)8 = 8n + 28

9-step staircase numbers 45 + (n-1)9 = 9n + 36

10-step staircase numbers 55 + (n-1)10 = 10n + 45

References

1. http://www.picciotto.org/math-ed/teachers/staircases.pdf
2. The Study Guide of Exploring Number and Space, Semester 1