Question

There are 4 consecutive odd integers that have a sum of -8. What is the least of theseintegers?

Answer 1

Odd integers are:

1, 3, 5, ...

They are spaced "2" units apart.

So,

if the first odd number is "x",

the next is "x + 2"

the third one is "x + 2 + 2"

the fourth one is " x + 2 + 2 + 2"

Thus, the four consecutive odd numbers are:

`\begin{gathered} x \\ x+2 \\ x+4 \\ x+6 \end{gathered}`

We sum the expressions and equal to -8. Then solve for x:

`\begin{gathered} x+x+2+x+4+x+6=-8 \\ 4x+12=-8 \\ 4x=-8-12 \\ 4x=-20 \\ x=-(20)/(4) \\ x=-5 \end{gathered}`

So,

This is the least integer out of the 4:

x = - 5