While adding the first few continuous natural numbers, a candidate missed one of the numbers and wrote the answer as 177. What was the number missed?

The sum of the first n continuous natural numbers is calculated using the formula n times n plus 1 divided by 2. We need to find a sum that is slightly higher than 177 because one number was missed. If we take n as 18, the sum is 18 times 19 divided by 2, which equals 171. This is less than 177, so n must be larger. If we take n as 19, the sum is 19 times 20 divided by 2, which equals 190. Since 190 is greater than 177, it is a possible actual sum. The difference between the actual sum and the recorded sum is 190 minus 177, which equals 13. Therefore, the missed number is 13. This fits the criteria as 13 is part of the sequence of the first 19 natural numbers. Correct Answer: C