Sum of Two Consecutive Integers

The sum of 2 consecutive integers is -73.  Find the integers.

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x = first consecutive integer
x + 1 = second consecutive integer

x + x + 1 = -73   {the sum of the two consecutive integers is -73}
2x + 1 = -73   {combined like terms}
2x = -74   {subtracted 1 from each side}
x = -37   {divided each side by 2}
x + 1 = -36   {substituted -37, in for x, into x + 1}

-36 and -37 are the two consecutive integers

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