Question

The sum of four
consecutive integers is -18. What is the greatest
of these integers?

Answer 1

-5

Explanation:

You can define the first integer to be x

The second integer would then be x + 1

The third integer would be (x + 1 ) + 1 which equals x + 2

The fourth integer would be (x + 2) + 1 which equals x + 3

Now set up your equation:

x + x + 1 + x + 2 + x + 3 = -18

4x + 6 = -18

4x = -24

x = -6 (This is your first integer)

To find the greatest, substitute the value for x into the four expressions to find the four integers:

First: x = -6

Second: x = -6 + 1 = -5

Third: x = -6 + 2 = -4

Fourth: x = -6 + 3 = -3

-5 is the greatest of these four values and is the answer.

Answer 2

-3

Explanation:

Let the first number be x

second number x+1

third number be x+2

fourth number be x+3

According to question,

x+x+1+x+2+x+3= - 18

4x+6= -18

4x= -18-6

4x= -24

x=
`(-24)/(4)`

x= - 6

Hence ,the first number is -6

second number x+1=-6+1=-5

third number x+2= -6+2= -4

fourth number x+3= -6+3=-3

Hence, greatest of these numbers is -3

Hence, the correct answer is -3