SOLUTION: Directions: Setting up and solving an algebraic equation. Find two consecutive odd numbers whose sum is 72. I used a=1st # a+3=2nd # a+(a+3)=72 2a+5=72 2a=67 a=33.5 And t

Question 408698: Directions: Setting up and solving an algebraic equation.
Find two consecutive odd numbers whose sum is 72.
I used a=1st #
a+3=2nd #
a+(a+3)=72
2a+5=72
2a=67
a=33.5
And that's not correct. I need help!!
Answer by richard1234(7193) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Instead of a+3 as the second number you should have used a+2. This is because odd numbers increment by 2. We have

a + (a+2) = 72

2a + 2 = 72

a = 35, so the numbers are 35 and 37.
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