The sum of two consecutive even integers is 118

The sum of two consecutive even integers is 118.  Find the smaller of the two integers.

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Consecutive even integers increase by 2 each time you jump from one integer to the next.

x = first consecutive even integer
x + 2 = second consecutive even integer

x + x + 2 = 118  {the sum of two consecutive even integers is 118}
2x + 2 = 118  {combined like terms}
2x = 116  {subtracted 2 from each side}
x = 58  {divided each side by 2}
58 is the first consecutive even integer

By the way,
x + 2 {second consecutive even integer}
= 58 + 2 {substituted 58, in for x, into x + 2}
= 60 {added}
60 is the second consecutive even integer

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