I think of a prime number, and add it to the next larger prime number.
I continue with this twice more. I have now worked out the sum of four consecutive primes. This total comes to 202.
Solving this will involve some trial and error or guesswork. There could be less hard work if you think about it first of all.
It should take a lot less than five minutes to find the answer ~ you will know yourself whether it is right or wrong.
If some of the words are new or strange ~ here is some help ~
Prime Numbers ~ are numbers which do not appear as answers in your multiplication tables ~ the times tables. It is useful to be familiar with prime numbers, and the ways of finding them [113906].
Sum ~ This word is often used when talking about questions ~ problems ~ tasks ~ as in 'I am doing some sums'. Mathematicians use the word to mean specifically to mean adding-up tasks. The sum of the digits two, three, four is 2+3+4 and the sum ~ summation ~ is nine.
Consecutive means 'following on in sequence'. You might ask 'What sequence?' Well~ that has to be made clear at the same time as using the word consecutive. 13~17~19 are consecutive prime numbers ~ starting with thirteen. 12~14~16~18 are consecutive even numbers, starting at 12. As a small self test ~ Look at the sequence of numbers 2~3~5~7~11~~. They are not consecutive odd numbers. Give two reasons why. They are consecutive somethings ~ what? How far can you ~ confidently and quickly ~ continue the series? There are more notes on sequences [113910].
Solve ~ means 'find the solution' to the task ~ puzzle ~ question ~ problem
Trial and error ~ guesswork. One way to tackle this problem would be to think of any prime ~ say 13 ~ then move on to 17 ~ add them up ~ and so on. That would be your first guess or try or trial. It will ~ sadly ~ be in error for the question as set. Some people are able to work out the smaller prime numbers very quickly ~ they have maybe even learnt them. Larger primes take more thought ~ or trials and successes perhaps!
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