The sum of two consecutive numbers is -21. What are the two numbers?
x = first consecutive number
x + 1 = second consecutive number
x + x + 1 = -21 {sum of the two numbers is -21}
2x + 1 = -21 {combined like terms}
2x = -22 {subtracted 1 from each side}
x = -11 {divided each side by 2}
x + 1 = -10 {substituted -11, in for x, into x + 1}
-11 and -10 are the two consecutive numbers
Ask the House
x + 1 = second consecutive number
x + x + 1 = -21 {sum of the two numbers is -21}
2x + 1 = -21 {combined like terms}
2x = -22 {subtracted 1 from each side}
x = -11 {divided each side by 2}
x + 1 = -10 {substituted -11, in for x, into x + 1}
-11 and -10 are the two consecutive numbers
Ask the House
