Question

Find four consecutive odd integers whose sum is 8

Answer 1

-1, 1, 3, 5

Explanation:

k - an integer

so:

2k+1 - an odd integer

2k+1+2 = 2k+3 - an odd integer consecutive to 2k+1

2k+3+2 = 2k+5 - next consecutive odd integer

2k+5+2 = 2k+7 - the fourth consecutive odd integer

2k+1 + 2k+3 + 2k+5 + 2k+7 = 8

8k + 16 = 8

- 16 -16

8k = - 8

÷8 ÷8

k = -1

2k+1 = 2(-1) + 1 = -2 + 1 = -1

2k+3 = 2(-1) + 3 = -2 + 3 = 1

2k+5 = 2(-1) + 5 = -2 + 5 = 3

2k+7 = 2(-1) + 7 = -2 + 7 = 5

Check: -1+1+3+5 = 3+5 = 8

Answer 2

4x + 12 = 8; 4x = -4; x = -1. Therefore the four consecutive odd integers are -1, 1, 3, 5.

Explanation: