Question

Find two consecutive odd integers whose sum is 36.

Which of the following equations could be used to solve the problem?

2x = 36
2x + 1 = 36
2x + 2 = 36
x2 + 2 = 36

Answer 1

Let x and y be your consecutive odd integers. Recall that odd integers are 2 numbers apart. Think 1, 3, 5, 7...

x = first odd integer
y = x + 2 = second odd integer

Now, lets get the details of the problem. The sum is 36. So,

x + y = 36

But, we know y in terms of x so

x + y = 36
x + (x+2) = 36
x + x + 2 = 36
2x + 2 = 36 *********
2x = 34
x = 17

Thus, your first number is 17. Plug this in to find y.

y = x + 2 = 17 + 2 = 19

Thus, your second number is 19.