Shortcut Trick
For any set of consecutive numbers in an Arithmetic Progression (AP), the average is the middle term or the midpoint of the series.
If we add equal number of terms on both the left (previous) and right (next) sides of an existing symmetric series, the central point (average) remains unchanged.
In this case, 1 odd number is added to the left and 1 odd number is added to the right, maintaining the symmetry around the original average of 40.
∴ The correct answer is 40.
Alternate Method
Given: Average of 8 consecutive odd natural numbers is 40.
Formula Used: Average of an Arithmetic Progression (AP) = (First term + Last term) ÷ 2
⇒ For 8 consecutive odd numbers, the average (40) lies exactly between the 4th and 5th terms.
⇒ 4th term = 40 − 1 = 39; 5th term = 40 + 1 = 41.
⇒ The 8 numbers are: 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47.
⇒ Just previous odd number = 33 − 2 = 31.
⇒ Just next odd number = 47 + 2 = 49.
⇒ New set of 10 numbers: 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49.
⇒ New Average = (First term + Last term) ÷ 2 = (31 + 49) ÷ 2
⇒ New Average = 80 ÷ 2 = 40.
∴ The correct answer is 40.
Additional Information
Average of Arithmetic Progression
For any series with a common difference d, Average = (First Term + Last Term) ÷ 2.
Symmetric Change in Average
If k terms are added to the beginning and k terms are added to the end of a consecutive series, the mean remains constant if the terms added are equidistant from the original center.
Sum of Consecutive Odd Numbers
The sum of first n odd natural numbers is always n2, and their average is n.