Question

Find the smaller of two consecutive integers,x, if the sum of the smaller and two times larger is 14. Write an equation and solve

Answer 1

4

Explanation:

Consecutive integers are e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, ...

So they are 1 units apart.

If we let one of the integers be "x", then the next consecutive one would be "x + 1".

x is the smaller

x + 1 is the larger

of the two...

Now,

The sum of smaller (x) and 2 TIMES larger (x + 1) is 14, so we can write:

`x+2(x+1)=14`

We use algebra and solve for x:

`x+2(x+1)=14\\x+2x+2=14\\3x=14-2\\3x=12\\x=4`

So, the two numbers is 4 & 5

smaller of the two numbers is "4"