Find the average of the first 97 natural numbers.

Options

A. (a) 47
B. (b) 37
C. (c) 48
D. (d) 49

Answer

To find the average of the first 97 natural numbers, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Formula for Average**:
The average of the first \( n \) natural numbers can be calculated using the formula:
\[ \text{Average} = \frac{n + 1}{2} \]

2. **Substitute the Value of \( n \)**:
Here, \( n = 97 \). Substitute this value into the formula:
\[ \text{Average} = \frac{97 + 1}{2} \]

3. **Calculate the Numerator**:
First, calculate \( 97 + 1 \):
\[ 97 + 1 = 98 \]

4. **Divide by 2**:
Now, divide the result by 2:
\[ \text{Average} = \frac{98}{2} = 49 \]

5. **Conclusion**:
Therefore, the average of the first 97 natural numbers is \( 49 \).

### Final Answer:
The average of the first 97 natural numbers is \( 49 \).

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