Number Theory – What Five Odd Integers Have a Sum of 30?

discrete mathematicselementary-number-theory

I've been asked the following question:

What five odd integers from the set
$\{1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15\}$
that when summed together equals to $30$? Note that any integer can be used more than once.

If my limited knowledge of maths is correct, there should be no answer, as no odd number of odd integers summed together can give an even number.

Best Answer

As straightforward mathematics there is no answer.

As anyone who has ever placed hymn numbers in a hymn board will know, it is possible to turn $9$ upside down to get $6$, and if this is allowed by the wording you can get a sum of $30$.

Likewise if it is odd numbers which are chosen, but the digits rather than the numbers which are added, the set $3,5,7,9,15$ gives $3+5+7+9+1+5=30$ - again this depends on precisely how the question is worded.