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The sum of 2 consecutive odd integers is -60.
What are the integers?
I need help!

User NendoTaka
by
6.3k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Answer: -31 and -29

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Step-by-step explanation:

Consecutive integers are integers that follow one right after another. For example, the set {3,4,5} represents consecutive integers.

Consecutive odd integers are a similar idea but that every value is odd. Example: {7,9,11,13}

Let x be some integer. If we multiply it by 2, then it's always even. So 2x is always even. Adding 1 to it makes it odd. So 2x+1 is odd.

The next odd integer after (2x+1) is (2x+3)

Add those two integers and set that sum equal to -60. Solve for x.

(2x+1)+(2x+3) = -60

4x+4 = -60

4x = -60-4

4x = -64

x = -64/4

x = -16

If x = -16, then

2x+1 = 2*(-16)+1 = -32+1 = -31

2x+3 = 2*(-16)+3 = -32+3 = -29

Then note how -31+(-29) = -60 which confirms our answers.

User Mengmeng
by
6.7k points
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