Question

The sum of two consecutive odd intergers is more than -12. What is the smallest value that will make the statement true? Write an inequality that can be used to find the smallest value that will make the statement true

Answer 1

The smallest value is -8 as a sum of two consecutive odd integers

Which are -5 and -3

Explanation:

Answer 2

The smallest value is -8 as a sum of two consecutive odd integers

Which are -5 and -3

Explanation:

Let the first odd number is x, then the second odd number is x + 2

∵ The sum of them is more than -12

∴ x + (x + 2) > -12

∴ 2x + 2 > -12

∴ 2x > -12 - 2

∴ 2x > -14 ⇒ ÷ two sides by 2

∴ x > -7

∴ x = {-6 , -5 , -4 , -3 , -2 , -1 , 0 , 1 , ............}

∵ The numbers are odd

∴ The numbers must be -5 and -3 to give a sum -8 which will make the

statement true

∴ The two consecutive odd numbers are -5 , -3

∴ The smallest value is -8

To check:

∵ -5 + -3 = -8

∵ -8 > -12

∴ The statement is true